By Ben Atonko

2023 Social Democratic Party (SDP) Presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has, again, emerged as the presidential candidate of the party for 2027 general elections. This follows his unanimous adoption at the party’s national convention held in Bauchi on Saturday.

Adebayo, who was the only aspirant for the party’s presidential ticket, was elected by consensus by delegates from the 36 states of the federation during the convention, which also witnessed the election of new members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

In his acceptance speech, Adebayo decried the worsening unemployment situation among young Nigerians, saying graduates could no longer secure jobs while many citizens lacked access to basic healthcare and decent living conditions.

“Why would Nigerians be hiding from immigration in China when I have a country of my own? Why are countries calling me a criminal when I have a country of my own?” Adebayo queried.

The Ondo-born prince also criticised the political elite for seeking medical treatment and investing heavily abroad while ordinary Nigerians suffered at home. According to him, it was unacceptable that leaders were buying houses overseas while many Nigerian women still gave birth under trees due to poor healthcare infrastructure.

Speaking further, Adebayo expressed concern over insecurity in the country, alleging collaboration between elements within government and criminal groups. He questioned what he described as the “back and forth” relationship between security agencies and terrorists, insisting that Nigerians deserved a safer and more accountable nation.

Adebayo cautioned that Nigeria was gradually sliding towards “one man rule,” arguing that the survival of democracy depended on the protection of multiparty politics and freedom of association.

“The theme of my speech today is: use your freedom while you still have it to give meaning to multiparty democracy,” he said. “People have told me that Nigeria is at the verge of a one-party state, but I said the real danger is that we are at the verge of one-man rule.”

Prince Adebayo said Nigeria needs political diversity and ideological competition among parties that remain loyal to the unity and progress of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.