By Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
The 2027 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has called on Nigerians to elect leaders committed to justice, fairness and good governance, saying the country’s worsening insecurity can only be addressed through responsible leadership and constitutional governance.
Adebayo made the remarks on Tuesday during the Arewa Awareness Summit on Unity Against Insecurity, organised by the Arewa for Peace, Unity, Cohesion and Development Initiative in Kaduna.
Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the event, the lawyer and politician described insecurity, particularly in Northern Nigeria, as a national emergency that requires collective action beyond military operations.
According to him, sustainable peace can only be achieved by rebuilding the social foundations of the country through justice, equitable governance and investment in human development.
> “The problem of insecurity has become a national emergency that cannot be left to the government alone,” he said.
Adebayo noted that participants at the summit, including traditional rulers, security personnel, academics and political leaders, agreed that addressing insecurity requires more than deploying security forces.
He stressed the need for government to prioritise the welfare of citizens, invest in education, youth and women, and provide opportunities for the less privileged.
> “We must return to the foundation of society by creating justice, fairness and general welfare, so that we can build a society where people are not alienated or driven into violence,” he said.
The SDP presidential candidate maintained that Nigeria’s security challenges are largely the result of poor leadership choices made since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
He urged Nigerians to assess political leaders based on the provisions of Chapter Two of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy.
According to him, citizens should use those constitutional principles as the benchmark for electing, evaluating and replacing leaders rather than relying on ethnic, religious or sentimental considerations.
Adebayo also linked insecurity to poverty, corruption and the neglect of human capital, arguing that Nigeria’s large population should be viewed as a national asset instead of a burden.
“There is no difference between me and any Almajiri child. The difference is that I was given care and education. If we invest in our people, we will see them as assets rather than liabilities,” he said.
The SDP flag bearer disclosed that his party had begun nationwide consultations, covering all 19 Northern states before extending to all 419 local government areas and 4,731 wards, to mobilise Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Commenting on the absence of some senior government officials at the summit, Adebayo alleged that key political actors avoid such engagements because they are responsible for many of the country’s challenges.
On opposition politics, he revealed that he declined an opportunity to serve in the current administration, saying he chose instead to remain with Nigerians and build an alternative political platform.
Adebayo also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing its performance as disappointing and urging Nigerians to vote for a more effective government in 2027.
However, he cautioned that any political transition must produce a better administration rather than replacing one ineffective government with another.
He said the SDP’s nationwide consultations are aimed at ensuring that the 2027 elections produce a government capable of addressing insecurity, restoring public confidence and improving the welfare of Nigerians.
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