SDP Presidential Candidate, Adewole Adebayo Unveils Hardline Reform Agenda, Calls Student Loans ‘A Crime’, Blasts APC Over Education Collapse, Party Crisis, Economic Direction

Abuja, Nigeria– The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the 2027 general election, Prince Adewole Adebayo has unveiled a sharply defined political and economic agenda rooted as social welfare governance, education overhaul, and strict institutional accountability.

In a wide-ranging interview, Adebayo — the flag bearer of the Adewole Adebayo — spoke on internal tensions within the party, ongoing court cases involving party officials, allegations of infiltration by political actors, and what he called the deliberate weakening of Nigeria’s education system under the ruling administration.

He also took direct aim at the ruling All Progressives Congress, accusing it of prioritising electoral survival over governance, while defending what he called the SDP’s “kitchen table politics” — a governance philosophy focused on food, transport, healthcare, jobs, and education.

Adebayo did not spare President Bola Tinubu — the leader of the APC — though he avoided personal attacks, instead criticising policy direction under the administration of Bola Tinubu.

He also described student loans as “a crime,” a remark that has already sparked debate across Nigeria’s education and policy circles.

Asked how he felt after emerging as SDP presidential candidate for 2027, Adebayo said: “It feels good, though challenging. It’s a new opportunity for the country and for the sovereign people of this country who need a good government and a good plan.”

He said his emergence represented “a renewed opportunity for Nigerians” rather than personal ambition.

Responding to reports of internal crisis within the SDP, including litigation involving former national chairman and factional disputes, Adebayo said he would not comment extensively due to the matter being sub judice.

“Well, I’m in a corner here because I’m a lawyer. Once you start with something being in court, especially someone who is at the risk of losing his liberty and facing a criminal trial, it is unethical for me to comment on it.”

However, he stressed the importance of rule of law: “I hope the rule of law will work and that there will be political settlement without compromising the need not to encourage criminality or say criminality is politics. I think we should just allow the law to take its course.”

On whether the dispute has caused friction in the party, he said: “Not really. From what I know, they are trying to use the disciplinary powers of the party to hold party officials accountable. In doing that, some people won’t be happy about it.”

He insisted that internal discipline must follow due process: “If you want to discipline somebody, you have to follow the law, and if you are facing disciplinary action, you have to respect it. If you are not satisfied, you can go to the appellate component of it.”

He also called on institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Nigeria Police Force to remain neutral: “Institutions like INEC and the police should not take sides; they should do their own duty.”

On the controversy involving alleged mismanagement of N35 million within the party and why it escalated to police involvement, Adebayo said: “I don’t know why it couldn’t have been sorted. As a lawyer, what I can say is that someone is alleged to be involved in several amounts… and the person has pleaded not guilty in a court of law.”

He insisted on presumption of innocence: “What the law expects of me is to presume the person innocent while the accusers provide evidence.”

He warned against political interference in criminal matters: “Stealing money is not a joke. Breach of trust is not a joke. In the past, people went to prison for 20 naira, while today VIPs loot billions and still receive applause.”

He added: “If money belongs to an institution and you had access to it because of your office, you must be accountable.”

Asked if he spoke with supporters allegedly involved in pulling down the party secretariat gate, he responded: “No. For me, it’s the police that are responsible because you don’t escort criminals to go and pull down gates.”

When pressed further, he added: “It’s the police that brought them, and the police used them to pull down the gates because they didn’t want to do it themselves.”

He said he was not present during the incident: “I wasn’t there, so I’m careful. I only saw what was shown on television because I had finished my screening and left before it happened.”

He said the party had escalated the matter: “The party contacted the Inspector General of Police, who said he would investigate, and also contacted the Commissioner of Police.

Explaining the ideological foundation of the SDP, Adebayo described the party as focused on ordinary citizens:“The SDP is the party that has solutions to your social problems. It’s a party meant for ordinary people.”

He expanded: “When you wake up in the morning, you think about feeding your family, transport costs, education, food, healthcare, jobs, survival — those are the issues social democratic parties focus on.”

He described SDP governance philosophy as “kitchen table politics”: “It’s about everyday life. A social democrat won’t wake up and remove subsidy without thinking about the impact on transport, food, housing, jobs, and people’s savings.”

In contrast, he accused the APC of electoral obsession:“But if you are APC, your focus is on winning elections and congratulating yourselves afterward.”

He also criticised Nigeria’s social conditions:“Nigeria is a country where most people are poor and cannot afford basic hygiene, nutrition, education, or safety.”

On whether fielding a South West candidate against Tinubu was strategic, Adebayo rejected ethnic framing: “We don’t think like that in SDP. A hungry person in the South West is still hungry.”

He added:“Someone buying petrol at outrageous prices won’t care about regional identity.”

Responding to claims that ruling parties infiltrate opposition groups, he said: “Yes, we are dealing with that. It is the desire of President Tinubu to be the only person in the race.”

He however noted this was not new: “PDP governments also attacked opposition parties during Obasanjo’s era.”

On whether he had identified infiltrators: “They will always exist. The important thing is leadership.”

He declined operational details: “I don’t run the party directly. I’m the presidential candidate and ambassador of the party, but the party has elected officials who manage operations.”

On recent changes in Nigeria’s education system — including lower cut-off marks and shortened academic pathways — Adebayo was sharply critical: “These are not reforms; they are deformations.”

He alleged systemic decay: “The lowest-quality people are in government, and they want standards to fall because an educated population asks questions and challenges bad governance.”

He argued that leadership incompetence is reflected in education policy:“They are producing people like themselves.”

On rising youth unemployment and lack of employable skills, he said:“The solution is not difficult. In our time, public schools kept students occupied productively from morning till evening.”

He emphasised structured education: “We had physical education, extracurriculars, prep classes, and exam coaching.”

Adebayo’s most controversial remark came when asked about student loans: “Student loans are a crime.”

Pressed further, he repeated:“Yes. It’s a crime against the constitution and against the people.”

He argued that education should not be debt-financed:“Why should students borrow money for education if education is supposed to be free, compulsory, and qualitative?”

He accused past and current leadership of hypocrisy:“The National Assembly members didn’t take loans for their own education. They enjoyed free education.”

He warned of national consequences:“You will turn scientists into taxi drivers. You destroy civilization, and insecurity grows because the people who should become innovators are abandoned.”