2027: Adebayo Tells Tinubu to Step Aside, Let Nigerians Breathe

The 2027 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has urged President Bola Tinubu to step aside, accusing him of failing to provide the active leadership Nigeria needs.

Adebayo made the call in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, reacting to Tinubu’s plan to limit his participation in physical campaigns ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The President had spoken at the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, urging party members to take the party’s message to Nigerians across states and local government areas while he focused on governance.

Reacting, Adebayo described Tinubu as a “president in absentia”, arguing that the country’s challenges required visible and hands-on leadership.

“Nigeria is too complex, too dynamic, and currently too distressed to be governed by remote control,” he said.

The SDP candidate accused Tinubu of being absent during critical national moments, citing what he described as prolonged medical trips, failure to address national emergencies and reliance on representatives to communicate government policies.

He also argued that the President’s decision to stay away from parts of the campaign trail raised questions about his capacity to govern.

“If you are too tired to campaign, you are too weak to govern,” Adebayo said.

He further alleged that Tinubu’s decision was motivated by fear of public anger over the administration’s economic policies, including the removal of fuel subsidy, rising inflation and currency instability.

Adebayo claimed that the economic difficulties faced by Nigerians had made the President reluctant to engage directly with voters.

“The truth is that the President is terrified of the Nigerian people,” he said, adding that the President should confront the consequences of his policies rather than avoid the campaign trail.

Adebayo urged Tinubu to prioritise the national interest over political ambitions and be transparent about his capacity to lead the country for the remainder of his tenure.

“It is time to face reality: step aside, go home, and let this country breathe,” he said.

Tinubu has yet to respond publicly to Adebayo’s latest criticism.