Adebayo meets Afenifere, Arewa leaders, calls for return to philosophy of founding fathers 

By Jude Opara, Abuja

The former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo has called on Nigerians to return to the philosophy of the founding fathers which he said guided the country at independence, stressing that good governance and not transactional politics must once again define the country’s political culture.

Prince Adebayo made the remarks on Wednesday at a high-level meeting in Osun state, which involved the Afenifere, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), and other influential national fugures.

Speaking at the gathering, the former SDP flagbearer said Nigeria was established as a negotiated federation by leaders from all regions—the North, East, West, and South—who worked together to secure independence at the Lancaster House constitutional talks.

According to Adebayo, the early political parties were formed to implement national development plans rooted in fairness and inclusivity, but the intervention of the military disrupted that foundation.

“What we have practiced since then are politics influenced by military rule or post-military habits,” he said.

He noted that the Osun meeting was aimed at rebuilding a national philosophy anchored on social democracy.

“We want to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number of Nigerians, through a government that is the direct opposite of what we have experienced in recent times,” he stated.

Adebayo emphasized that the initiative was not about the SDP or Afenifere but about restoring the ideals that shaped Nigeria’s political development at independence.

He recalled how the historical political movements like; the Action Group, UPN, PRP, NEPU, UMBC, the Northern People’s Congress, and the NCNC were all born from the same commitment to public service and national progress.

“We are bringing all these philosophies together to remind Nigerians that governance—good governance—is the purpose of politics. Politics is not for selfish leaders or transactional politicians who treat it like a casino to reap personal gains,” he concluded.