As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections, leaders from every corner of the country are presenting ideas they believe will propel the country forward. Among them is Prince Adewale Adebayo, who is confident about steering the country at the presidential level under the SDP party.
“We are reorganised, professionalised, and rearmed with ideas that can rescue Nigeria from decline. Our mission is clear: to eliminate poverty, to root out corruption, to restore moral spine for the Republic.”
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Speaking to a group of international journalists in London, Prince Adewale Adebayo announced that he was the SDP’s candidate for 2027 and decried the current state of the country, noting that approximately 130 million people are currently suffering from chronic poverty. At the same time, he said that inflation rates in Nigeria, stand at 20%, while the unemployment rate now exceeds 30%. This, he said, has pulled Nigeria backwards instead of propelling it forward.
Recent statistics from the World Bank indicate that 139 million Nigerians live in poverty, a number which has seen a steady increase over time. According to Adewale Adebayo, this figure equates to about 61% of the country’s population, with the majority of those being the country’s young people:
“Government reforms are not yielding positive results for everyday Nigerians.”, he said, “Unemployment is widespread, and there is chronic underinvestment in our core public services—schools, hospitals, infrastructure, and more. How can we support our young people and secure their future without such investment?
“My priority is to we must restore security in our land. Thousands are being killed every year, and dozens every day. That is the first thing to have a government at home. My intention is to ensure that I put fire under the feet of the Nigerian government, to see that problems that can be solved today are solved today.
During the Prince’s London visit, President Trump announced that he was considering committing the US to military intervention in Nigeria to combat these ethnic and religious attacks. President Trump simplified the violence to attacks on Christian communities, and Prince Adewole was keen to widen the debate to include all communities in the north who were experiencing violence:
“I welcome it because the life of every Nigerian is essential. I am rather pleased that a foreign power is concerned about the plight of my people, whereas the government of the day is unsure of what’s happening.
“However, whatever support the American government wants to give must be done in collaboration with the Nigerian government and in accordance with international law and the constitution of Nigeria, but it’s an idea that we must welcome, because the killing in the country cannot be denied. I would rather welcome any kind of support that can ensure that people of my country do not get killed. We must put an end to insecurity in our country.”
Adewale Adebayo, who has also been practising his legal career for over a decade now, both locally and at a global level, describes himself as an anti-corruption lawyer, and he follows closely attempts to root out corruption in Nigeria, especially how Nigeria has been devising new strategies to combat it:
“ Corruption is stealing our future, and it is not only a moral failure but also one of the leading causes of why Nigeria continues to languish in poverty and instability. We must implement reforms that would make the government more accountable and transparent at all levels, and to hold public officials responsible for their actions. Nigeria will never realise its potential without a corruption-free government.”
He believes that five key factors are crucial to Nigeria’s fight against corruption: leadership by example; sanctioning corrupt officials; legal accountability; transparency; and immediate action to expose malpractice:
“The Nigerian President can earn the trust of our citizens if he is seen as incorruptible and is committed to transparency. No individual, regardless of their status or position, should be above the law. This commitment involves establishing a robust judicial and institutional framework that ensures corrupt individuals are prosecuted and punished effectively.”
To stress the importance of transparency in campaign financing as a critical measure to combat corruption, the Prince says his election campaign is already committed to avoiding illicit funds, setting an example for integrity and accountability. Transparency in campaign financing involves clearly disclosing sources of funds, expenditure reports, and ensuring that donations come from legitimate, traceable sources.”
He campaigns for the creation and strengthening of organisations dedicated to combating corruption across government, military, police, education, healthcare, and others. These organisations would be tasked with investigating, prosecuting, and preventing corruption, ensuring that no sector remains unchecked. Empowerment involves providing these bodies with adequate resources, independence, and authority to operate free from political or external influence.”
In addition to this, he also demanded greater youth and women’s involvement in governance to establish a more inclusive and equal political system. To Adebayo, these are the building blocks of a successful, fair, and stable Nigeria:
“The youth are the largest population in Nigeria and the future of the country, but they are not adequately represented in the political decision-making process. Youth and women are not only the future, but also the present,”
Prince Adebayo suggested that if elected, he would establish structures to enable the youth and women to actively participate in leadership positions. He argues that a more inclusive and diverse political system will make sure that policies are more responsive to the needs of all Nigerians.
Prince Adewole Adebayo also demands a radical reform of the country’s education system, stressing that every child should receive high-quality education to equip them to face the demands of a constantly changing world and learn the entrepreneurship and technological skills necessary to compete in the global economy.
Adebayo believes he is a leader with the vision and the will to effect the change that Nigeria desperately needs. The key question is: will Nigeria’s voters agree with him.
