Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of fueling the internal crisis rocking the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News monitored by The News Chronicle, Adebayo dismissed the emergence of Oyo-born Abimbola Akeem Atanda as the SDP’s presidential candidate, insisting the drama within the party was being orchestrated from outside.
“We don’t know Bimbola Atanda. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the author of all this drama,” Adebayo said.
The SDP flagbearer accused Tinubu of interfering in opposition parties, warning that such actions undermine Nigeria’s democratic system and the constitutional principle that bars individuals from belonging to multiple political parties at the same time.
“Tinubu cannot be the candidate of all political parties. He cannot be the candidate-general of the federation. President Tinubu is afraid. You have to compete with others,” he added.
Adebayo also used the interview to paint a grim picture of the economic realities facing ordinary Nigerians under the current administration, saying workers are being pushed to the brink by poor wages and rising taxes.
According to him, his administration would prioritise education, healthcare and improving the purchasing power of citizens if elected president in 2027.
He argued that the current economic policies are making survival difficult for workers whose salaries can no longer meet their daily needs.
“You cannot form a government for the sole purpose of extracting tax from the people. You have to stimulate productivity. Government is supposed to be a facilitator,” Adebayo said.
