The 2023 presidential candidate for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), who is also a lawyer, businessman and media entrepreneur, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has emphasised that the party’s strategy is rooted in broad-based collaboration, noting that it actively engages civil society groups and other stakeholders as part of its efforts to build a stronger and more inclusive political movement.
“We aren’t lone rangers; lone rangers don’t win elections. However, alliances should be with strategic partners, and those partners aren’t necessarily other politicians. Our strategic partners are segments of society. Our idea of a coalition involves civic organizations and groups like Afenifere or the Tinu Nigeria Arewa Movement, who have stayed out of mainstream politics but want good governance. We want to bring qualified people into the fold who usually sit on the sidelines,” he shared.
While discussing the SDP’s political strategy and vision for 2027 in a interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Adebayo explained that the party’s approach goes beyond traditional political structures, focusing on alliances with professionals, grassroots organisations, and reform-minded citizens who share its vision for governance and national development.
“We are focused on increasing our membership. If you travel across the country, you’ll see the signs. The under-reporting is a mixed blessing; it can be frustrating, like when thousands join in Kano and it goes unreported, but the person we are trying to remove has a security apparatus and knows what we are doing.”
Responding to concerns about defections, the former presidential candidate downplayed their impact, arguing that the party’s growth far outweighs any losses and that those leaving are often driven by personal political calculations.
“Not at all. If 5,000 people leave the SDP in a state, we might not even notice if we are bringing in 100,000 new members a week. Often, people leave because they are beholden to a specific candidate who isn’t favored by their zone, or they realize they won’t get the ticket they want within our party’s formula. We respect their decision to seek office elsewhere, but the party isn’t about individual ambitions,” he stated.
He emphasised that the SDP is anchored on principles of governance and constitutional ideals, adding that its long-term goal goes beyond electoral victory to establishing a system built on sustainable leadership and national development.
“The SDP is about substance and Chapter 2 of the Constitution—fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy. Governance isn’t a contest of personality; it’s a contest of principles. Personalities can fail you; principles make you work. Our objective is deeper than some of these coalitions. They are 100% satisfied if the current president is removed. For us, that is just the beginning. Our objective is achieved only when we replace the government with one that doesn’t look like the recent past—a government that puts Nigeria on a sustainable path to quality leadership,” he explained.
On the credibility of future elections, Prince Adebayo expressed doubt over the independence of INEC, arguing that systemic flaws in its appointment process have undermined public confidence.
“The INEC Chairman was appointed by the President, and I’m not sure a ‘free, fair, and credible election’ is the top priority there,” he stated.
He noted missed electoral reforms have weakened the system, leaving credibility largely in the hands of other stakeholders.
“We missed the opportunity for a truly independent INEC when we ignored the Uwais Panel report. The Chairman of the APC, for example, was Senate President when that report was submitted, and he essentially threw it away. Until we address those systemic reforms, the mechanism remains flawed. At the end of the day, the only people left who can ensure free, fair, and credible elections are the politicians themselves, the media, the voters, and law enforcement. As for INEC, I think that opportunity has already been lost,” he said.
Responding to concerns about a shrinking democratic space, Prince Adebayo took a critical stance, alleging that the current political climate raises questions about commitment to democratic principles.
“What you need to know is that we don’t need to make it sound like we’re saying something incredibly creative. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not a democrat. He hasn’t even said he is a democrat, and he doesn’t behave like one. He didn’t come into office the way a democrat would. So, let’s leave that aside; he doesn’t aspire to be a democrat and has even stopped pretending,” he alleged.
Continuing his criticism, Adewole Adebayo argued that past pro-democracy credentials do not guarantee present commitment to democratic ideals, insisting that current actions should be the true measure of leadership.
“The operative word is ‘former.’ A thief is a former honest man; a convict is a former innocent person. What matters is what you do now.”
He stressed that opposition parties must be disciplined, clear in ideology, and internally stable, avoiding actions that weaken credibility or invite interference.
“What is the ‘opposition’? Opposition is what you do, not just what you say. Some people in the opposition are mercenaries and provocateurs causing problems for themselves. But if we are to oppose President Tinubu, there are three things we must do:
“Lawful Action: In running our political parties, we must ensure we don’t bring the kind of lawlessness that the government can exploit. Principled Mobilization: We must oppose based on principles and mobilize Nigerians by showing that these principles are essential to saving the country and ensuring good governance,” he highlighted.
According to him, success against the ruling party depends on presenting a clear and distinct alternative that resonates with Nigerians rather than personal political ambition.
“Nigerians won’t invest in your personal ambition to ‘become something.’ Create a Contrast: You shouldn’t look like Tinubu if you want Nigerians to help you defeat him. You have to bring a sharp contrast—like day and night, black and white, Nigerians need to see a clear alternative. I know that today,” he said.
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