2027: Coalition must include all Nigerians, not just opposition parties — Adebayo

The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has thrown his weight behind growing calls for a coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections, but said such an alliance should extend beyond opposition political parties to include all Nigerians committed to rescuing the country.

Adebayo, who spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) published his name as the SDP’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election, said the country’s numerous challenges demand a broad national consensus rather than a political arrangement solely aimed at unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Responding to calls by a group of eminent Nigerians for opposition parties to unite ahead of the polls, the former presidential candidate said while he sympathised with the position of those advocating an opposition coalition, his vision was much broader.

“My point of view is not that the opposition should come together only; all Nigerians should come together,” Adebayo said.

He argued that the country’s current realities cut across party lines, noting that even many members of the APC had become disillusioned with the political system.

“Even the people who might be members of the APC know now that the APC itself has been made irrelevant. Many of them have been robbed of their own democratic rights. So all of us now need to come together.”

Adebayo stressed that the focus of the coalition should not merely be removing President Bola Tinubu from office but building a government capable of addressing Nigeria’s deepening economic and social challenges.

“My objective is not about defeating President Bola Tinubu. To be honest, President Tinubu has defeated himself because you cannot fail to defeat yourself as a government if the collective summary of your service is that you have defeated the purpose of government.”

He maintained that the conversation ahead of the 2027 elections should be driven by issues affecting ordinary Nigerians rather than political rivalries.

“We should not be discussing personalities or who defeated who. We should actually look at the issues of poverty, insecurity, bad governance, lack of governance, economic problems and the challenges facing the country. Those are the things that should occupy us before Nigerians elect a new government.”

Asked whether he would be willing to step down for a consensus presidential candidate if coalition negotiations required it, Adebayo said no aspirant had a birthright to the nation’s highest office.

“It is a privilege to be a candidate. Every Nigerian who has the talent and interest is entitled to aspire to be president,” he said.

“I don’t have any sense of entitlement. What I have is a sense of history and a sense of duty to present the best ideas, mobilise my fellow citizens and ensure that if I become president, it is not by cheating, bribery or grabbing power, but by legitimately persuading Nigerians.”

He added that his presidential ambition was driven by a commitment to future generations and Nigeria’s place on the African continent.

“I am running because of the generation that is to come. I am running because of the manifest destiny of Nigeria. It is not about me.”

On the publication of his name by INEC, Adebayo dismissed reports of crisis within the SDP, insisting the party remained united throughout its nomination process.

“There are no crises in my party. We managed not to be distracted by attempts to create problems. Our convention was held openly, and we were never in doubt about our candidates.”

He also defended INEC’s constitutional role, saying the electoral commission was expected to publish information submitted by political parties while leaving Nigerians to scrutinise the credentials of candidates.

“INEC is our servant. It is working for the public. It is not INEC’s job to vet the information submitted by candidates. Its duty is to collect the information and make it available to Nigerians, who can then verify the claims and challenge any falsehood.”

Revisiting the 2023 general election, Adebayo expressed the hope that the 2027 polls would be contested strictly among candidates and not between candidates and state institutions.

“What I want is that no candidate should see INEC as an enemy, and no candidate should see the police as an enemy. If it is candidate versus candidate, then we are ready.”

He, however, expressed confidence that active participation by Nigerians would ultimately determine the credibility and outcome of the next general election.

“There are those who believe the election cannot be free and fair, but I belong to the school of thought that says that when determined citizens participate and genuine candidates present authentic programmes, the people themselves can make the election free and fair.”