Prince Adewole Adebayo, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has dismissed claims that Nigeria’s opposition space is shrinking, insisting that the true measure of democracy lies in the will and welfare of the people, not in political office counts.

Speaking in an interview, Adebayo argued that democracy should be judged by citizens’ satisfaction with governance rather than by the number of governors or politicians aligned with a particular party.

He emphasised that public sentiment, not elite defections or political alignments, will determine the outcome of future elections.

He criticised what he described as an overemphasis on incumbency politics, noting that counting governors and senators does not reflect the true health of a democracy.

According to him, what matters is whether Nigerians feel hopeful, properly led, and satisfied with government performance.

Adebayo also dismissed ongoing political realignments among major parties, describing them as “a relay of failure.” He maintained that such movements are driven by political desperation rather than ideology or a commitment to solving Nigeria’s problems.

He stressed that the SDP is focused on ideological clarity and grassroots engagement, rather than political opportunism or elite bargaining. According to him, the party is committed to building a movement that prioritises the needs of ordinary Nigerians.

On the growing trend of political defections, Adebayo said it was not a concern for him, adding that his focus remains on aligning political action with the aspirations of Nigerians and the principles of the constitution.

He noted that he has remained with the SDP since 1991 and has no intention of leaving the party.

He also questioned the quality and impact of politicians switching parties, arguing that many of them have failed to address key national challenges such as insecurity, unemployment, and corruption across states.

Adebayo criticised the political class, describing it as lacking ideological depth and driven largely by the desire for power rather than service to the people. He expressed concern that this has contributed to Nigeria’s ongoing governance challenges.

He further stated that the SDP is not interested in attracting politicians from other parties, particularly members of the National Assembly. Instead, he advocated for what he described as a “FixNASS” movement, aimed at encouraging Nigerians to elect more credible and independent-minded lawmakers.

According to him, Nigeria needs a fundamental shift in its political culture, away from recycled leadership and toward fresh, patriotic individuals with integrity and professional experience.

Adebayo also addressed concerns about the perceived dominance of larger political parties, arguing that visibility does not necessarily translate into effective governance.

He maintained that Nigerians are capable of discerning between parties if political actors focus on real issues such as insecurity, poverty and economic hardship.

He emphasised the importance of credible elections, including measures such as electronic transmission of results, stronger independence for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and reduced electoral malpractice.

On the upcoming 2027 general elections, Adebayo expressed confidence in his ability to contest and win the SDP presidential ticket, stating his intention to become president with strong grassroots support.

He described 2027 as a crucial turning point for Nigeria, urging citizens to use the election to demand better governance, accountability, and development.

Adebayo also criticised the current administration, alleging shortcomings in economic policy, insecurity management and infrastructure development, while calling for more effective leadership.

He concluded by emphasizing the need for leaders who are deeply connected to the people and committed to addressing Nigeria’s core challenges, including unemployment, poverty and insecurity, in order to restore public confidence in governance.