Adebayo: Tinubu Must Account For Hunger, Debt, Electricity Failure In 2027 — SDP Flagbearer Says Election Will Be Referendum On Hardship, Economic Collapse

Abuja, Nigeria– Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has criticised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that the 2027 general elections will not be about political popularity or party strength, but a direct referendum on  as hunger, debt burden, insecurity, and economic decline under the current government.

Speaking during an interview on national political and economic issues, Adebayo said Nigerians were already overwhelmed by unprecedented hardship driven by inflationary pressures, unemployment, and what he called policy mismanagement at the highest level of government.

He argued that the ruling administration would not be able to escape accountability by political alliances or electoral strategy, stressing that governance performance would be the deciding factor in 2027.

“You cannot defeat President Tinubu by merely rousing anger. You have to raise issues because he is in charge of government today and, on objective analysis, he is not delivering,” Adebayo said.

The SDP presidential candidate further stated that the economic conditions facing Nigerians had deteriorated to the point where basic survival had become difficult for working citizens, regardless of income level.

In one of his pointed illustrations of the cost-of-living crisis, he said:“A Nigerian who owns a Toyota Corolla did not bargain for spending N60,000 to fill the tank when his salary is less than N200,000,” he stated.

According to him, the combination of inflation, insecurity, unemployment, and weakening purchasing power had eroded public confidence in the government’s economic direction, leaving citizens to bear the consequences of what he described as failed policy choices.

Adebayo also took direct aim at the administration’s handling of Nigeria’s electricity crisis, arguing that despite campaign promises made ahead of the 2023 general election, the national grid situation remained largely unresolved and unreliable.

“President Tinubu himself cannot give himself electricity. He has to go off-grid in the State House because the national grid failed him,” he said.

He further maintained that the president would eventually be required to account for his stewardship, particularly regarding rising national debt, fiscal decisions, and political appointments made since assuming office.

“He has to account for how much debt he has accumulated on behalf of present and unborn generations. Presidency is a job, and every person with a job must render account to those who employed him,” Adebayo added.

On issues of corruption, accountability, and what he described as selective justice in Nigeria’s political system, the SDP flagbearer insisted that law enforcement and judicial institutions must operate independently without political interference from ruling parties.

“It is not an APC government or SDP government that should take people to jail. Law enforcement investigates, the judiciary adjudicates and sanctions are applied without political coloration,” he said.

He also raised concerns about alleged political sheltering of individuals facing corruption investigations or trials, warning against what he described as a dangerous precedent where politicians escape accountability by defecting to the ruling party.

“We don’t want a situation where people facing trial are told that if they switch to the ruling party, they can obtain forgiveness or amnesty,” he added.

The remarks are coming amid persistent public debate over corruption prosecutions, political defections, and perceived inconsistencies in Nigeria’s anti-graft enforcement system.

Commenting on ongoing speculation surrounding the possible return of former President Goodluck Jonathan to the 2027 presidential race, Adebayo stated that Jonathan, like any other eligible citizen, has the constitutional right to contest if he chooses to do so.

“If he wants to run, he should come out openly and address Nigerians. The presidency of Nigeria is not an office people are dragged into by speculation,” he said.

Adebayo also expressed confidence that the SDP would mount a serious challenge against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027, insisting that Nigerians were increasingly demanding a credible alternative focused on welfare, security, and governance rather than political rhetoric.

“We are going to present Nigerians with a clear alternative that puts the welfare of the people first,” he said.