2027: Demand Performance Not Excuses, Adebayo Tells Nigerians

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has urged Nigerians to demand performance from political leaders rather than accept excuses for poor governance.

He stated this during the unveiling of the SDP’s 2027–2031 Presidential Policy Document, titled “Farewell to Poverty and Insecurity,” declaring that Nigeria needs a new approach to governance to address its security and economic challenges.

The blueprint was unveiled in Abuja on Tuesday, with the party saying its proposals are anchored on three inseparable pillars: security, productivity and prosperity.

Speaking at the event, Adebayo said the country must change the way it conducts politics if it wants to change the way it is governed.

Adebayo said Nigerian politics had, since 1999, increasingly become “comedy,” arguing that the essence of politics should be to filter ideas and produce sustainable leadership.

“All our problems are man-made. The men who made these problems are the men in the villa, government houses and National Assembly,” he stated.

He argued that Nigeria lacked philosopher-kings and instead had individuals in positions of authority who had turned public office into an avenue to plunder resources and undermine citizens’ hopes.

Adebayo described the SDP blueprint as a scientifically documented thesis submitted to Nigerians for evaluation and challenged those currently in government to account for their stewardship.

“Where have you been in the past four years? Where is the money saved from subsidies? Where are the trillions for security? Where is electricity?” he asked.

The SDP candidate said governance must be guided by ideas and clearly documented policies, insisting that policies must translate into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

“We are people of the book. We must govern by the book. We must live by the book. Policy must translate directly into solutions for poverty and insecurity that ordinary Nigerians can feel,” he added.

Adebayo also criticised the management of the economy and the Central Bank of Nigeria, arguing that the institution had become “a warehouse of debt” rather than an engine for productive employment and currency stability.

He compared accountability in government to financial responsibility within families, saying Nigerians generally manage their household resources more carefully than the nation’s leaders manage public finances.

According to Adebayo, a president has four years to deliver measurable results, just as a student is expected to complete a programme and graduate with a degree.

Adebayo said the SDP’s ultimate objective was to achieve “farewell to poverty and disinheritance,” adding that the blueprint was designed to serve Nigerians regardless of which political party implements it.

He stressed that good public policy should not be partisan, arguing that any government committed to improving the lives of Nigerians could adopt and implement the proposals contained in the SDP document.

Speaking at the ceremony, SDP National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, said the policy document was a national proposition rather than another political manifesto, stressing that its central purpose was to outline what government must do to move Nigerians from poverty and insecurity to security, productivity, dignity and prosperity.

“Without security, there can be no meaningful production and sustainable prosperity,” Gombe said.

He maintained that the central purpose of government must be the security, welfare and advancement of the people, while public office should be regarded as a trust entrusted to political leaders by citizens.

“Public office must not be treated as private property. Political power must be understood as a trust given by the people,” he said.

Gombe said the SDP blueprint advocates both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to national security, including stronger armed forces, police, intelligence capabilities and border controls.

He added that security efforts must also address the economic and social conditions that leave communities vulnerable to crime.

“A secure Nigeria is one where farmers can cultivate without fear, traders can move goods safely, children can attend school, and businesses can invest with confidence,” he stated.

On the economy, the SDP chairman said Nigeria could no longer afford to depend heavily on imports or remain primarily an exporter of raw materials.

He said the party’s policy would focus on agriculture and full value chains, manufacturing, energy, construction, technology, trade and skills development for young people, with the aim of creating jobs and driving economic growth.

According to him, the role of government should be to create the conditions that enable Nigerians to produce, invest and innovate.

“We do not believe poverty should be managed indefinitely. We believe poverty must be eliminated through productive employment,” Gombe said.

He said the blueprint places strong emphasis on implementation, monitoring and accountability.

Gombe also endorsed the SDP’s presidential ticket of Prince Adewole Adebayo and Dr Usman Bugaje for the 2027 election, expressing confidence that the right leadership could make Nigeria secure, productive and prosperous.