Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2027 election, Adewole Adebayo, has said Nigeria is yet to attain true democracy, insisting the country still operates a civilian system disconnected from the lived realities of citizens.
Speaking during a Democracy Day reflection interview on Baira 98.5 FM in Abuja, Adebayo said Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999 has not translated into stronger institutions, improved welfare, or deeper accountability.
He argued that while elections have been consistently held, the substance of democracy remains weak.
“Since 1993, only two things have changed: our problems have become bigger, and our democratic space has become smaller,” he said.
He warned that the combination of rising poverty and insecurity could deepen national instability if not urgently addressed.
“Poverty has grown and given birth to insecurity. If we fail to address both, they may lead to instability, revolution, or even genocide,” he cautioned.
Reacting to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, Adebayo said many Nigerians are yet to feel tangible improvement in their daily lives.
He stressed that governance must prioritise immediate needs rather than long-term promises.
“A president is elected for the present, not the future. Hungry people cannot eat in the future. Children cannot go to school in the future. Security challenges cannot wait,” he said.
The SDP chieftain dismissed ongoing reform claims by the administration, describing them as cosmetic adjustments rather than structural change.
“There are no reforms. Renaming problems is not reform. Increasing taxes and calling it tax reform is not reform,” he said.
He also faulted the state of the petroleum sector, noting that refineries remain largely inactive despite repeated rehabilitation promises.
Leadership gap and public trust
Adebayo further accused political leaders of becoming increasingly distant from citizens, stressing that governance requires constant engagement and responsiveness.
“The president speaking to the people is good, but the president listening to the people is more important,” he said.
INEC independence and electoral reform push
On electoral integrity, he called for constitutional reforms to guarantee full independence for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting politicians should not control appointments into the electoral body.
He also advocated real-time transmission of election results to strengthen transparency and public confidence.
Adebayo raised concerns over Nigeria’s rising security expenditure, including the proposed ₦5.4 trillion defence allocation, questioning accountability and impact on ground.
He also criticised the reintegration of repentant insurgents, urging stronger and more consistent security strategies.
Despite his criticisms, he maintained that Nigeria’s challenges remain solvable if leaders adopt citizen-focused governance and prioritise urgent national needs over political rhetoric.