Adebayo: Opposition Should Focus on Poverty, Not Just Tinubu

In this chat with Olufemi Adediran, Adewole Adebayo, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, shares his views on why opposition parties should focus on real issues instead of just opposing President Bola Tinubu.

Adebayo believes this government is not serious about making the refineries work. Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, said the refineries' rehabilitation is 90 percent complete and they are conducting test runs.

Adebayo suspects the government wants to run the refineries down and sell them off cheaply. He insists that the refineries must operate. "You cannot be the Minister of Petroleum and allow the refineries under your watch to remain dysfunctional after spending so much money rehabilitating them," he said.

He added that the companies hired for maintenance should not take money without doing their jobs. Adebayo believes the elite in government do not want the refineries to work, but he and his party do.

He criticized President Tinubu, saying the biggest problem with his administration is Tinubu himself. Adebayo said, "His character, attitude, disposition, and mentality, taken together, have produced the results we are seeing."

Adebayo pointed out that the presidency is about one person. He argued that Section 5 of the Constitution gives executive power to the President as Commander-in-Chief. But he feels Tinubu is not present or accessible, which is why things are falling apart.

If elected, Adebayo promises to be hands-on, accessible, and willing to learn. He said, "That way, I can engage Nigerians, identify their talents, and invite them to serve in my government."

He wants to provide strong leadership and take issues directly to the people. Adebayo thinks Tinubu cannot effectively govern in a modern democracy because he does not engage enough with the people and lacks a sense of service.

"He sees the presidency as a position to occupy rather than one that carries responsibility," he said. Adebayo believes the corruption and ineptitude seen in the government are tied to Tinubu's leadership style.

He added that Tinubu does not understand what it means to serve the country, which is why he takes criticism personally. Adebayo believes there is no such thing as a major candidate; to him, the presidency has no silver or bronze medal. "You either win or you do not; there is no consolation prize," he stated.

Adebayo emphasized the need for free, fair, and credible elections. He is focused on holding the Independent National Electoral Commission accountable. He mentioned going to court to challenge parts of the Electoral Act that he believes will not ensure free elections.

He also expressed concern about internal sabotage in his party. Adebayo noted that some of the damage to the Peoples Democratic Party was caused by people within the party who were allegedly used by the government.

He believes Nyesom Wike has significant influence in the PDP and that Tinubu has allies like Wike in other opposition parties. Adebayo stressed the importance of reaching out to people across Nigeria.

"We need to prepare our supporters for a strong resistance against vote-buying, rigging, and other forms of electoral malpractice," he added. He believes the person who came first in 2023 could come last in 2027 if votes are counted properly.

"Nobody is small because we are all on the same ballot," he said. Adebayo called for a credible ballot where votes count. He hopes for a revolution in the electoral system so that the so-called big men will lose.

Adebayo believes that opposing Tinubu is not enough. He said, "You can oppose him because you do not like him or because he did not give you an appointment. But what happens if Tinubu is no longer there? Who will you then oppose?"

He urged Nigerians to unite against poverty and insecurity instead. Adebayo said, "Let us rally Nigerians around the idea that 66 years after independence, we do not want to wait another 660 years before Nigeria becomes great."

He believes this election should focus on these issues. If it does, he wants Nigerians to support the party that can implement those goals. He emphasized that it does not matter who your opponent is.

Adebayo noted that if people believe the APC is the problem and stop voting for it, the party will lose, regardless of whether the opposition formally unites. He is confident that working together will make defeating the APC possible.

Adebayo said he is open to stepping down for another candidate, but he stressed that the real issue is that all Nigerians must agree to end poverty and insecurity through this election.

He acknowledged Nigeria has many problems, but poverty and insecurity are the top issues. He believes they must be addressed in this election.

Adebayo said if political parties and politicians unite around this mission, it will help resolve many other challenges. He argued that the opposition needs a clear goal to rally around.

He stated, "But if it is simply an opposition of Tinubu haters, count me out." Adebayo concluded that he does not hate anyone, but he will join efforts to eradicate poverty and insecurity.

He criticized the current administration for lacking a clear policy. He believes without principles, there can be no effective policies.

Adebayo pointed out that Nigeria's policy direction is in Chapter Two of the Constitution, which talks about security, welfare, education, healthcare, employment, and justice. "If you are not pursuing those objectives, then you are not doing what government should do," he said.

He added that what we see now are just transactions, not real policies. Adebayo believes leaders must be held accountable for their promises to end poverty and insecurity.

He vowed to govern based on principles, not guesswork. He remarked that past leaders followed their programs. They did not make decisions based on guesswork or policies designed for their friends.

Adebayo concluded that the current government is not following a clear national plan. He believes we need national policies that are in line with the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy.

Once those are set, the government can create programs to achieve them. Then they can go to the National Assembly to pass laws that support those policies.

Adebayo said the government must use public funds wisely and recruit Nigerians based on their skills and interests. He believes that is what makes someone a proper chief executive.

Finally, he noted that government is not permanent. Leaders have four years to deliver on their promises and must leave office afterwards.