Prince Adewole Adebayo, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has firmly stated that his party will not form alliances with politicians who lack a clear plan to improve the lives of Nigerians.
Speaking to journalists at his home in Ondo GRA ahead of the 2025 Christmas Marathon and Queen Lilian Adebayo Health Walk in Ondo City, Adebayo criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, calling it a disaster that has caused great suffering for Nigerians. He emphasized that Nigeria needs leaders with true patriotism who can lead the country out of its current troubles, not people who might be worse than Tinubu if given power.
Adebayo expressed concern that those pushing for political alliances lack credibility, clear ideas, and the moral integrity needed to put Nigeria on the right path. He warned that replacing Tinubu with others who could cause even more harm would be counterproductive.
Clarifying the SDP’s stance on coalitions, he said the party is open to working with others but will not join forces with individuals who have questionable character or whose past actions conflict with the party’s values.
“We are talking with the coalition, and we are trying to find a common purpose. This common purpose has to have meaning in the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
He added, “The fact that President Bola Tinubu is a disaster does not mean I should accept the same things I dislike him for from others. That’s why I interviewed each of them who came. I don’t even bother to interview some of them, and you all know them.”
Adebayo argued that many opposition figures seeking coalitions are only trying to benefit from public anger against the current government, not offering real alternatives. “They are people seeking patronage in government under the guise of fighting for the masses.”
He stressed the importance of ensuring that coalition partners do not share the same negative traits as those they want to replace. “President Tinubu is a disaster, no doubt about it. He has failed economically, politically, socially and even in security which is the primary purpose of any government – to secure the lives and property of citizens. But, I can assure you that these people, who are mouthing coalition, are going to be worse if we don’t interrogate them properly.”
Recalling the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) coalition that removed former President Goodluck Jonathan, Adebayo said, “When the current All Progressive Congress leaders formed their own coalition to remove Good luck Jonathan and I saw their mascot, the late President Muhammadu Buhari, I was convinced that we would be dead. And that was what happened. Buhari was a plague on Nigerians but Tinubu has proven to be even worse than Buhari.”
He warned against allowing worse leaders into power through coalitions, noting, “Some people are doing coalition after leaving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody on bail.”
Adebayo insisted that any coalition involving the SDP must be based on shared values and accountability. “You must first confess your contribution to the problems we are facing today as a country before you can talk about coalition,” he said.
He also highlighted how many politicians depend on government perks, saying, “Some people are incapable of being outside the government for six hours because they are used to free cars, houses and privileges.”
Concluding, he said, “For me, if you cannot help the Nigerian people, let us not kill them. It is better not to enter into the government than to become enemies of the people. Tinubu is a failure but let us not put his likes or those worse than him in government.”
Leave a comment