*Says top security officials profiting from prolonged insecurity
The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 2023 general elections, Prince Adewale Adebayo, has vehemently sweeping criticised President Bola Tinubu’s handling of national security, governance, and democracy, declaring that Nigeria has become increasingly vulnerable due to weak and negligent leadership.
Adebayo lamented that insecurity has defined Nigeria’s recent history, with bandits and terrorists overrunning communities, killing and kidnapping residents, looting property.
He argued that rather than continuing with current approach, immediate switch to bring security issues with realism and data-driven planning, not optimism, or by accusing successive administrations of failing to act decisively as commanders-in-chief.
According to him, “President Tinubu has not demonstrated a clear understanding of his constitutional role as Commander-in-Chief.
‘The president has failed to properly supervise the Armed Forces or articulate a coherent national security plan”.
Adebayo equally criticised Nigeria’s growing engagement with the United States on security issues, describing it as a reaction to domestic failure rather than a diplomatic success.
He insisted that Tinubu’s handling of insecurity had exposed Nigeria to foreign pressure, insisting that such cooperation should be limited, proactive, and firmly driven by Nigeria’s own priorities.
He also rejected coups and unconstitutional seizures of power and blamed corruption and collusion within government and security institutions for sustaining insecurity, alleging that some officials are profiting from prolonged conflict.
On claims of religious persecution, the SDP boss argued that securing lives and communities should be the government’s foremost responsibility, adding that unchecked corruption within the security sector has weakened national sovereignty.
He criticised the rejection of electoral reforms, accusing beneficiaries of flawed elections of resisting change, while insisting that incumbents, including Tinubu and the APC, remain beatable if citizens mobilise.
Adebayo however, expressed confidence that the SDP could emerge victorious in a “people’s election,” calling for the rise of a new political class to replace what he described as an entrenched elite feeding off public resources.
He warned Nigerians against a second Tinubu term, portraying the president as an imperial figure rather than a servant leader, urging voters to seek accountable, people-centred leadership in the next election.
