By Olatunbosun Obafemi
Abuja — The Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has called on Nigerians to reject the growing culture of resignation to poor leadership, stressing the need for proactive civic engagement and political reform ahead of the 2027 polls.
Speaking during a recent media engagement, Adebayo lamented the recurring trend of Nigerians expressing dissatisfaction with successive administrations – from former President Goodluck Jonathan, through Muhammadu Buhari, to the current leadership of President Bola Tinubu – without taking meaningful steps to bring about systemic change.
“Nigerians have grown accustomed to murmuring about the failures of their leaders,” he said. “From Jonathan to Buhari to Tinubu, the complaints are the same – directionless governance and lack of vision. Yet, the people fail to act decisively to install capable leadership.”
Adebayo, who is expected to run again in 2027, declared his mission is to ensure that President Tinubu will be remembered as the last in the line of ineffective leaders. According to him, the key lies not in removing individuals from office, but in fundamentally transforming the way politics is conducted in the country.
“If you listen to politicians, the blame always lies with whoever is in power. First, it was ‘anyone but Jonathan,’ then it was Buhari’s turn. Now, it’s Tinubu,” he said. “But my goal is to end this cycle. We must change the politics, not just the politicians.”
He emphasized the importance of attracting ethical, competent individuals into the political space – a shift he believes can only happen when politics is practiced with integrity and guided by principle, rather than patronage and financial inducement.
“The problem isn’t just about leadership – it’s about the system that produces these leaders,” Adebayo noted. “We must reform our political institutions and culture. That change starts with the political parties themselves, and I can proudly say the SDP has already begun that process.”
He urged Nigerians to move beyond passive criticism and take active responsibility in reshaping the political landscape.
“Don’t sit at home and point fingers at bad governance,” he said. “Engage, participate, and help create a system where competent leaders can emerge.”
