By Salihu Othman Isah
Introduction
The Adewole Adebayo-Bugaje Presidential Campaign Council has described the Social Democratic Party presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, as the strongest alternative among the presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The council made the claim on recently in Abuja, during a press conference addressed by its Chief Communications Adviser, Comrade Mark Adebayo.
At the briefing, the council unveiled what it described as Adebayo’s four-year rescue plan for Nigeria, titled “Farewell to Poverty and Insecurity.”
According to the council, Nigeria does not need more promises but a leader with a clear and practical plan to address the country’s economic, security and social challenges.
Why this press conference now?
Answer: Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. We are rich in human and natural resources, yet trapped in economic stagnation and insecurity.
As the next election approaches, Nigerians are being flooded with the same old promises from the same political class.
To quote Plato, the price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by bad men. We refuse to be indifferent.
Why do you say Prince Adewole Adebayo is the best among the rest?
Answer: We do not make this claim lightly. We make it based on what we consider to be a rigorous comparison of intellect, preparedness, integrity, track record and political will.
He is a self-made leader with clean hands. He has challenged the entire political class to demonstrate a superior intellect or a better plan before he would consider stepping aside.
He represents what we regard as a genuine third force and an alternative to the dominant political establishments represented by the APC and PDP.
What does he have that others do not?
Answer: He has a fully prepared blueprint.
While other candidates rely on what we consider vague slogans or broad promises, Prince Adebayo has a detailed policy document titled “Farewell to Poverty and Insecurity.”
It is a step-by-step plan aimed at addressing the economy, affordable infrastructure, security and human welfare within four years.
He points to the late Chief Lateef Jakande, who introduced major programmes in housing, education and transportation in Lagos within one term.
Our position is that four years is sufficient for a focused government to begin transforming the country, while even decades would not be enough if leaders remain committed to mismanaging public resources.
How do you rate him against Atiku Abubakar?
Answer: We believe Prince Adebayo compares favourably on the basis of personal integrity and professional record.
The former Vice President’s integrity has been questioned on several occasions, including by the President under whom he served.
Nigeria, in our view, cannot afford unresolved questions of integrity in public leadership.
We also disagree with some of Atiku’s public comments and actions, including his response to the controversy surrounding the late Deborah Samuel.
And Peter Obi?
Answer: Prince Adebayo offers what we consider a fundamentally different approach to governance, beyond populist rhetoric.
His economic philosophy, approach to labour, production model and structural policy proposals are, in our assessment, more comprehensive and consistent.
We also note the criticisms and political disagreements that have emerged around Peter Obi since the 2023 election.
What about President Bola Tinubu?
Answer: We see no basis for comparison in terms of our assessment of integrity, preparedness and policy direction.
Prince Adebayo attended St. Stephen Primary School, Ondo, from 1978 to 1983; St. Joseph College, Ondo, from 1983 to 1989; and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, from 1991 to 1997.
He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2000 and subsequently passed the New York Bar examination.
The council also questioned what it described as unresolved issues surrounding President Tinubu’s educational history.
Our principal is ready to debate any candidate at short notice on the economy, technology, agriculture, security, constitutionalism, aviation, education, diplomacy, oil and gas and integrity.
How do you assess the current government?
Answer: We believe the current administration is defined by multidimensional poverty, hunger, insecurity and a growing number of out-of-school children.
We believe the government has failed to adequately fulfil the constitutional obligation that the security and welfare of the people should be the primary purpose of government.
We also reject what we see as the growing perception that political connections provide protection for individuals accused of involvement in serious wrongdoing.
What will an Adebayo presidency do about corruption?
Answer: We are sending a clear warning to every public official who has stolen from the Nigerian people: stolen public funds will be pursued and recovered.
Anti-corruption agencies will be restructured to operate with greater independence and without political interference.
Their mandate will include investigating both current and former public officials suspected of corruption and recovering public assets established to have been illegally acquired.
What are the specific deliverables in Adebayo’s blueprint?
Answer:
Power: The administration plans massive investment in solar technology and a reorganisation of the power sector to improve electricity supply.
Energy: It plans to approve modular refineries across the states while ensuring that existing refineries operate at full capacity.
Security: The blueprint proposes a National Anti-Kidnapping and Banditry Command to coordinate intelligence, tactical response, digital investigations, financial tracking and prosecution.
Under the proposal, every kidnapping case would generate a unified case file, victim-recovery plan and financial-intelligence investigation.
Housing: Housing would be treated as both a social and economic development strategy. The plan proposes a National Affordable Housing Programme targeting at least three million affordable housing units within four years.
Agriculture: Agriculture would be developed according to regional comparative advantages, including grains, livestock and groundnuts in the North; tubers and fruits in the Middle Belt; and palm produce, cocoa, cassava and fisheries in the South.
The blueprint also contains proposed four-year roadmaps for security, foreign relations, education, health, sports and social welfare.
What is your final message to Nigerians?
Answer: We call on Nigerians to move beyond ethnic sentiments, financial inducements and noisy political rallies and examine the policy blueprints presented by the candidates.
Listen to the debates. Examine the plans. Evaluate the candidates’ preparedness and capacity.
We also call on Nigerians to participate actively in the 2027 elections, remain vigilant and protect the integrity of their votes.
As Frantz Fanon said, each generation must discover its mission, fulfil it or betray it.
Our mission is to rescue Nigeria.