Opposition Candidate Adewole Adebayo Stresses National Interest Over Personal Victory in 2027 Nigerian Election
ABUJA — Adewole Adebayo, the 2023 presidential candidate for Nigeria’s Social Democratic Party (SDP), has stated that neither he nor President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has a divine right to win the 2027 presidential election, emphasizing that the nation’s progress must be the ultimate outcome.
Speaking at an Iftar gathering in Abuja on Thursday, attended by SDP leaders and opposition figures, Adebayo responded to comments made by President Tinubu the previous evening. He reminded political leaders that ultimate authority resides with God, not with human officeholders. According to Adebayo, the stance presented to the president by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) delegation aligns with the SDP’s position.
He challenged any notion that Nigerian citizens may opt out of the electoral process, arguing the constitution mandates leaders to encourage robust public participation. “The president has a duty, just as I have a duty, to ensure Nigerians are motivated to vote and participate in the democratic process,” Adebayo said. He called for the 2027 general election to achieve historically high voter turnout given the nation’s critical circumstances.
“I will plead with President Tinubu: he doesn’t have to win the election, just as I don’t have to win. The only entity that must win is Nigeria,” he stated. Adebayo warned against incumbents attempting to alter electoral laws or procedures to secure advantage, urging the president to use the holy month of Ramadan for reflection toensure the 2027 election result is truly determined by the Nigerian people.
Meanwhile, SDP National Chairman Sadiq Umar Gombe emphasized that the onus is on the government to enact transparent electoral legislation ensuring free, fair, and credible elections that yield accountable governance. Yusuf Dantalle, National Chairman of IPAC, separately called on President Tinubu to revise recently assented electoral laws to foster a more inclusive democracy.
The statements follow a Supreme Court affirmation of Gombe’s leadership of the SDP, celebrated in a statement by the SDP State Chairmen Forum. The collective remarks from opposition figures highlight persistent concerns about electoral integrity and civic engagement ahead of the next national poll.
The 2027 election, still years away, is already framed by debates over legislative independence, voter rights, and the commitment of incumbents to a level political playing field. Adebayo’s appeal frames the contest not as a personal battle but as a test of Nigeria’s democratic resilience and leaders’ commitment to national unity over partisan triumph.
