The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has warned that Nigeria’s democracy could be threatened if what he described as the “dictatorship” of President Bola Tinubu continues.
Adebayo made the statement on Wednesday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show, where he discussed the state of the country and the challenges facing Nigeria’s democracy.
The SDP candidate argued that issues such as fuel subsidy were not central to the country’s problems, identifying the survival of democracy as a more pressing concern.
“What I know is that subsidy and some of these issues are not central to the challenges the country is facing. The real challenge is democracy itself,” Adebayo said.
He warned that the country’s democratic system could be undermined if Nigerians failed to ensure that elections were free, fair and credible.
“Democracy may end if we allow the burden of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dictatorship to continue,” he said.
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According to Adebayo, democracy could also be weakened by voter apathy, particularly if political parties and candidates fail to present Nigerians with credible alternatives and a clear vision for the country.
“It may end if we cannot guarantee free, fair and credible elections, or if we continue to generate voter apathy because we cannot articulate a clear alternative before Nigerians of what the country can become in a short order,” he said.
His comments come amid preparations for the 2027 general elections, with political parties and presidential aspirants intensifying campaigns and mobilising support ahead of the polls.
Adebayo’s warning adds to the growing debate among political actors over the state of Nigeria’s democracy, electoral credibility and the ability of opposition parties to provide alternatives to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).