SDP candidate Adewole Adebayo says Tinubu hardship policies have worsened poverty, insecurity and living conditions in Nigeria

Nigeria’s presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party for the 2027 election, Adewole Adebayo, on Friday accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of deepening economic hardship across the country, saying millions of Nigerians are struggling to survive under worsening living conditions.

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Adebayo made the remarks in a statement marking the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration, where he criticised rising food prices, unemployment and insecurity, while warning that many households were facing severe financial pressure.

The SDP flag bearer said ordinary Nigerians were working hard but were no longer seeing the benefits of their labour because of the current economic climate.

“Many are working very hard, but the economy of the government of the day makes them look lazy because when they go home, the children will ask the question: why is there no food? Why was I sent out of school with no school fees paid?” Adebayo said.

The opposition politician argued that recent reforms introduced by the Federal Government, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, had intensified the burden on citizens already battling inflation and declining purchasing power.

According to Adebayo, transportation and daily living expenses have risen sharply since the reforms were introduced, creating what he described as a painful reality for many Nigerians.

“Those of us who came to our convention on June 8, 2022, the money with which you came to the convention, you needed 15 times that amount to pay transport now,” he stated.

Adebayo also raised concerns about the state of Nigeria’s democracy, warning against what he described as the growing danger of excessive concentration of political power.

“People have told me that Nigeria is in danger of one-party rule. I said, ‘don’t worry about that.’ The real problem is that we are in danger of one-man rule,” he said.

The SDP candidate stressed the importance of preserving political diversity, insisting that Nigerians deserve credible alternatives and vibrant opposition parties committed to national development.

Adebayo said the SDP was preparing aggressively for the 2027 general election and would field candidates across major elective offices nationwide.

“We will contest 109 senatorial seats with patriotic Nigerians. We will run for 360 seats in the House of Representatives and all the governorship positions,” he added.

In a related reaction, Oladipo Oladotun also expressed concern over insecurity and economic hardship in the country, saying many Nigerians could no longer live peacefully because of persistent violence and poverty.

Oladotun called for policies focused on job creation, agriculture, healthcare, education and infrastructure, while urging opposition groups to unite in defence of democracy and citizens’ welfare.

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The criticism adds to mounting political pressure on the Tinubu administration as debates over economic reforms, inflation and insecurity continue to dominate national discourse ahead of the 2027 elections.