Presidential hopeful and prominent leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has dismissed growing calls for a single six-year presidential tenure, describing the debate as a distraction from Nigeria's more pressing governance, economic and democratic challenges.
Speaking during a television programme, Adebayo argued that the nation's major concern should not be how long elected officials remain in office, but whether elections genuinely reflect the will of the people.
According to him, Nigeria must focus on strengthening electoral credibility, improving governance, reviving the economy and addressing insecurity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The issue is not whether leaders spend four years or six years in office. The issue is whether the system works and whether voters actually decide who governs,” Adebayo stated.
The SDP leader maintained that restoring public confidence in the electoral process should be a national priority, particularly as the country prepares to commemorate June 12, widely regarded as a symbol of democratic struggle and electoral justice.
He stressed that political competition should be based on ideas, competence, and policy alternatives rather than identity politics, ethnic considerations or internal party rivalries.
Addressing concerns over internal developments within the SDP and reports of competing interests within the party, Adebayo downplayed the significance of such speculation.
He insisted that the party remains committed to presenting Nigerians with a constitutional and policy-driven alternative capable of tackling the country's challenges.
According to him, previous elections often shifted attention away from policy discussions toward ethnic and religious sentiments, preventing voters from critically evaluating government programmes and political promises.
Adebayo also dismissed suggestions that the SDP remains politically insignificant, arguing that widespread public dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs has increased interest in alternative political platforms.
He criticised what he described as a political culture dominated by money politics, vote-buying and identity-based campaigns, insisting that the SDP remains committed to ethical and issue-based politics.
“We believe that good politics is the only gateway to good governance, and good governance remains the only lasting solution to Nigeria's problems,” he said.
On economic policy, Adebayo renewed his criticism of the removal of fuel subsidy, arguing that the policy was implemented without adequately addressing underlying structural issues.
While clarifying that he would not necessarily restore the previous subsidy regime, he maintained that the government failed to consider the broader economic consequences of the decision.
He advocated a phased reform strategy focused on rehabilitating domestic refineries, expanding public transportation infrastructure and reducing dependence on petrol among low-income Nigerians.
According to him, fuel pricing directly affects production costs, inflation levels and household welfare, making it a critical economic issue requiring careful planning and execution.
Adebayo also delivered strong criticism of the government's handling of insecurity, insisting that Nigeria possesses sufficient institutional capacity to defeat criminal groups if intelligence gathering and law enforcement operations are effectively coordinated.
He attributed recurring cases of kidnapping and violent crime to weak implementation of security policies, poor prioritisation and excessive centralisation of security structures.
The SDP leader rejected any suggestion of negotiating with terrorists, kidnappers or armed criminal groups, insisting that the Nigerian state has the resources necessary to confront such threats decisively.
“There is no terrorist or kidnapper capable of overwhelming the Nigerian state. The issue is whether the government chooses to act,” he said.
He further called for reforms that would grant greater operational independence to law enforcement agencies, arguing that security professionals should be allowed to perform their constitutional responsibilities without political interference.
Responding to suggestions that opposition politicians often underestimate the complexities of governance, Adebayo defended robust policy debate as an essential component of leadership.
“Talk is not cheap. Senseless talk is cheap. Serious policy requires thinking, data and understanding how the government works,” he stated.
As political activities ahead of the 2027 elections continue to gain momentum, Adebayo reiterated that his campaign would remain focused on constitutional governance, economic restructuring, electoral integrity and public safety.
He maintained that Nigeria's future depends less on constitutional amendments relating to tenure and more on ensuring credible elections, accountable leadership and effective governance capable of delivering meaningful development for citizens. Hashtags
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