Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has declared that President Bola Tinubu has "defeated himself" ahead of the 2027 general election, insisting that the current administration is merely waiting to complete its four-year term and has failed to address the critical challenges facing the nation. In a wide-ranging interview on Channels Television's Sunday Politics programme on August 2, 2026, Adebayo launched a blistering critique of the President's performance, arguing that poverty, insecurity, and economic hardship have worsened under Tinubu's watch, and that the government's failures have damaged its re-election prospects beyond repair.
Adebayo, who contested the 2023 presidential election and is running again in 2027, did not mince words in his assessment of the Tinubu administration. "With all these insecurity, hunger and bad economy, President Tinubu has already defeated himself. His administration is outgoing," he declared. The SDP candidate argued that the government had failed to adequately address poverty and other governance challenges confronting Nigerians, and that its performance had "undermined the purpose of government." He said the administration appeared to be waiting to complete its four-year tenure rather than delivering the changes expected by citizens.
While Adebayo did not directly use the word "embarrassing" in the excerpts reviewed, his broader critique of the administration as a "historic disaster" in previous interviews aligns with his recurring theme that Tinubu represents a low point in Nigeria's leadership. In earlier statements, he has described Tinubu's government as the worst in Nigeria's history and called for a "clean political break" from the current leadership. His consistent position is that Nigeria cannot afford another term under Tinubu, and that the 2027 election must serve as a referendum on the administration's failures.
The SDP candidate urged Nigerians to shift their focus away from political personalities and instead concentrate on the substantive issues that will determine the country's future. He identified poverty, insecurity, poor governance, and economic hardship as the major issues that should dominate political discussions ahead of the polls. "It's not about personalities," Adebayo said, arguing that the outcome of the election would ultimately depend on voter participation and public confidence in the electoral process. He added that his priority was to unite Nigerians around solutions rather than merely create an alliance of opposition politicians.
Adebayo also addressed the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the electoral process, describing the commission as "our servant" and likening it to "the post office." He argued that INEC's responsibility is to collect and display information submitted by political parties and candidates, not to vet or determine the eligibility of candidates. He said members of the public and other stakeholders have the duty to scrutinise candidates' declarations and challenge any suspected falsehood through appropriate legal processes. The SDP candidate dismissed reports of an internal crisis within his party, insisting that the SDP conducted a peaceful and transparent nomination process.
Adebayo's comments come as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition parties positioning themselves to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). His declaration that Tinubu has already "defeated himself" reflects a growing sentiment among opposition figures that the President's economic and security record will be his undoing at the polls. However, his hope that Tinubu will be Nigeria's "last embarrassing president" underscores his belief that the country's leadership crisis extends beyond any single individual and requires a fundamental reset of the political system. For Adebayo, the 2027 election is not just about replacing Tinubu but about ensuring that Nigeria never again has to endure a leader of his perceived calibre.
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