Use your freedom before it’s lost — Adebayo warns Nigerians
By Henry Nnaemeka
The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the 2027 general election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has warned that Nigeria is drifting toward ‘one-man rule,’ urging citizens to defend democratic freedoms before they are eroded.
Adebayo spoke in Bauchi at the weekend after emerging as the consensus presidential candidate of the party during its national convention attended by delegates and party leaders from across the country.
In a fiery acceptance speech, the former presidential candidate accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of shrinking the democratic space, weakening opposition politics and attempting to dominate the country’s political structure.
According to him, the 2027 election would be a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy and the survival of multiparty politics.
“The little freedom we still have is gradually being taken away,” Adebayo declared.
“People say Nigeria is heading towards a one-party state, but the real danger is one-man rule. That is where they are taking the country.”
The SDP flag bearer alleged that democratic institutions, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), were increasingly coming under political influence and no longer operating independently.
He further accused the federal government of interfering in the affairs of opposition parties and intimidating political actors perceived as threats to the ruling establishment.
According to him, even members of the APC were no longer free within their own party structure.
“What we are doing here today, they can not do it there. They wait for one person to decide everything for them,” he said.
Adebayo also alleged that Tinubu was seeking influence beyond the APC by attempting to shape the leadership and direction of other political parties.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not satisfied with controlling only the APC. He wants to determine what happens in APC, PDP, Labour Party, SDP and everywhere else,” he alleged.
He described the successful conduct of the SDP convention as proof that opposition politics and democratic engagement remained alive despite alleged attempts to frustrate the party’s activities.
The SDP candidate commended Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed for allowing the convention to hold despite what he described as pressure from unnamed forces to stop the gathering.
Adebayo stressed the need for strong opposition parties built on ideology, accountability, and commitment to national development rather than personal ambition and political convenience.
Calling on Nigerians to defend their democratic rights, he urged citizens to “use your freedom while you still have it,” warning that political domination by any individual or group would endanger the country’s democratic future.
He also appealed to opposition figures across political, ethnic and religious divides to unite against corruption, insecurity, injustice, and economic hardship.
“Anyone who opposes corruption, insecurity, cheating, and injustice is part of the real opposition,” he said.
Adebayo maintained that the SDP was determined to win the 2027 presidential election while also targeting majorities in the National Assembly, governorship seats, and state assemblies across the country.
He said the party’s vision was to build a government focused on accountability, economic recovery, security, and citizens’ welfare, insisting that Nigerians deserved leadership driven by service rather than personal power.
