The 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has advised Nigerians to stop waiting for opposition to demand for good governance, rather, they should always hold government accountable on daily basis.
Adebayo stated this Abuja on Tuesday in an interview with newsmen at the 50th birthday ceremony of his wife, Queen Lilian Adebayo.
He advised Nigerians to get involved in politics ahead of 2027 general elections.
“Why are we waiting for the opposition to help us? Opposition doesn’t give hope. We need Nigerians to have hope in their government.
“What we should think about is when will this country going to get a government that will work for the people.
“So, media coverage for 2027 should not be about opposition and government, it should be about the people of Nigeria; whether it’s opposition, or government, listen to who is speaking more and acting more in the interest of the people.
“The election is not about defeating the opposition only. It’s about making sure that the government of the people comes to pass. That’s the area where we in the SDP come in,’’ he said.
Adebayo advised Nigerians to open their eyes and not let situations within their households, environments and community dictate their politics.
“If the Nigerian people don’t become the opposition themselves, and you are relying on opposition, who are also politicians, it’s not everybody who is the opposition that is on your side.
“The people of Nigeria themselves need to demand a change. When that demand is there, the opposition that is credible will fulfill it,” he said.
Adebayo who said that he would be contesting in the 2027 presidential election, added that the SDP would only participate in any coalition formed for the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.
He said that the party was interested in forming a coalition, but would not want to become a borrowed tool for “conspiracy and robbery’’.
“So we are talking, we are listening. If the coalition is for the good of Nigeria and the Nigerian people, then, SDP is available.
“But if it is just a ‘cry centre’ for the disappointed, they should go back to those who promised them, and resolve their differences there.
“If the reason you are in politics is to see that the Nigerian people are not short changed again, you can come to SDP, but if you are just coming to retaliate for the insult or a promise they gave you and didn’t keep, we are not part of it.
“We welcome every Nigerian to SDP, but nobody can use the the party as a borrowed tool for a fight it was not involved in,’’ he said.
On security challenge facing the country, Adebayo urged President Bola Tinubu to do more in addressing the challenge, as the first responsibility of any government was security, then welfare of the citizens, justice and infrastructural development.
“I personally do not like to politicise insecurity, because when there is an act of insecurity and you criticise the government in a way, it can encourage terrorists and other criminals.
“They will think that they can influence our politics by committing more atrocities,’’ he said.
Commenting on the state of emergency in Rivers, Adebayo said that governance was about the people.
“What will be the ultimate solution is for clear, good governance to return to Rivers. If this emergency is not immediately lifted, we are violating the constitution,’’ he said.
Adebayo, while felicitating his wife at 50, described her as a blessing and the best decision he ever made in life.
“She is a blessing and my world’s greatest achievement; so, I feel happy. She turned me from being a boy to a man,’’ he said.
The Chairman of SDP State Chairmen Forum, Femi Olaniyi, popularly known as Ferrari, speaking on behalf of the forum members commended the celebrant for being a good wife to her husband.
Alhaji Buba Galadima, former National Secretary, Congress for Progressive Change, said that the caliber of people present at the ceremony was a reflection of the character and integrity of Mrs Adebayo and her husband.
“I have no doubt on the integrity and intellect of Prince Adebayo,’’ Galadima said.
He expressed optimism that Adebayo would one day lead Nigeria. (NAN)
