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Says voters, not number of incumbents, determine democracy
By Sunday Ani
The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has rejected claims that Nigeria’s opposition space is shrinking ahead of the 2027 general elections, following recent defections of governors, senators, and House of Representatives members to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that the true measure of democracy lies with the electorate and not the number of incumbents in office.
Speaking in an interview, he argued that the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) should not be mistaken for political strength, noting that democracy is defined by public sentiment rather than by political officeholders. “What matters is whether Nigerians feel better about governance and leadership, not how many governors or senators a party controls,” he said.
He added that, “If you look towards those directions, the government of the day is in serious trouble.”
In response to criticism of party realignments, he downplayed ongoing political mergers and defections among opposition parties, such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing them as irrelevant to his party’s ideological focus. He maintained that the SDP remains committed to its long-standing principles, distancing itself from what he called the politics of incumbency and opportunistic alliances.
According to him, frequent defections among politicians reflect a lack of ideological commitment rather than genuine political evolution. “If 36 governors move to one party, it is not my business. What matters is the quality of leadership and whether they are solving Nigeria’s problems,” he said. He further claimed that major parties, including the APC and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), share similar origins and failures, describing them as part of the “relay of inefficiency”.
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He emphasised the need for a shift away from personality-driven politics to issue-based engagement, focusing on insecurity, poverty, and governance. He criticised what he described as hypocrisy among political elites, particularly those who held power for years without implementing reforms but now position themselves as critics.
He also called for a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s legislative leadership, aligning with advocacy for reforms under the “FixNass” movement, which seeks to replace most incumbents in the National Assembly. “Nigeria needs a new National Assembly with virtually no incumbent coming back,” he said.
On 2027 and his intention to contest the presidency again, he said he aims to secure a broad-based mandate from Nigerians, contrasting it with what he described as narrow electoral victories in the past.
He lashed out at President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of weak economic management, insecurity, and a lack of inclusive governance. He argued that the performance of the current government would ultimately shape voter decisions in 2027. “The next president must have deeper connection with the people and substantial participation of voters,” he said, adding that he hopes to win with at least 40 million votes.
He dismissed concerns that voters cannot distinguish between political parties, insisting that Nigerians are more interested in concrete solutions than party labels. He urged politicians to focus on policies that address citizens’ everyday challenges, including security, employment, healthcare, and education, rather than ethnic or personality-based campaigns.
On the issue of campaign financing, he said the SDP does not rely on money politics, but on grassroots support and small contributions from members. He reiterated the party’s commitment to credible elections, rejecting vote-buying and electoral manipulation. “We believe in people’s politics. We don’t know how to cheat or rig elections,” he said.
He said the 2027 election would be a potential turning point for Nigeria, even as he urged citizens to actively participate in shaping the country’s future. “There is no more room for insecurity, poverty, unemployment and failing infrastructure. Nigerians must change direction,” he said.
