Adebayo warns Nigeria drifting toward one-party state, accuses APC of stifling opposition

Adewale Adebayo, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has warned that Nigeria is drifting toward a one-party system, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) of systematically edging out opposition voices and shrinking the democratic space.

Speaking during a visit to the Kaduna State SDP Secretariat, Adebayo told party members that the ruling party’s political manoeuvres threaten the nation’s democracy and must be resisted through nationwide mobilisation.

He claimed that political leaders entrusted with defending the interests of ordinary Nigerians had instead “conspired” by migrating into a single dominant party, thereby shrinking the political space and undermining democratic competition.

“They forgot that God created this country,” he said. “They are doing politics; what we are doing is national development. Hunger, unemployment, and insecurity affect everyone, north or south, Christian or Muslim, young or old.”

The SDP stalwart alleged that after “stealing the money and our peace,” the next target of the current administration is the democratic system itself. He said the APC’s goal is to “destroy all opposition” and create a one-party state.

Adebayo also criticised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying the party was now facing the consequences of failing to deliver justice during its 16 years in power.

“This is not a time to dance or play,” he warned. “It is time to rescue the country from black-skinned colonial masters. Our independence heroes fought against being ruled from London, but today some leaders prefer to rule from France and Dubai.”

He urged Nigerians not to be deceived by politicians who only remember the people during election campaigns, insisting that the SDP remains “the only vehicle left to rescue the country.”

Adebayo also faulted President Tinubu for ignoring local concerns but acting swiftly when U.S. President Donald Trump made a public comment, saying, “They listen to Trump more than the Nigerian people.”

On the state secretariat, the SDP national leader gave the state chairman a seven-day ultimatum to secure a befitting party office, urging him to abandon “Abuja politics” and engage directly with grassroots communities.

Rosemary Asuquo Effiong, SDP National Secretary on Labour, CSOs and NGOs, encouraged members to intensify mobilisation and embark on a robust membership drive ahead of the 2027 elections. She stressed the need to spread the SDP’s message of policies with “a human face” and avoid internal conflicts that weaken party structures.

“Your mission is to build the party and carry along those who are not moving at your pace,” she said. “When victory comes in 2027, you will proudly say you were part of the mission.”

Also speaking, Ado Bello, National Financial Secretary of the party, praised the Kaduna chapter’s performance in recent by-elections, noting that the SDP outperformed the APC in Zaria.

He argued that insecurity and hardship were symptoms of mismanagement and lack of ideas, saying the SDP presidential hopeful represented an “ocean of wisdom and solutions.”

“Anyone who promises you a shirt — look at the one he is wearing,” Bello said, urging voters to judge candidates by their antecedents and support Adebayo in 2027.

Read also: We’re building a party of selfless people – Adebayo

Earlier, Adamu Idris, State Chairman, said the Kaduna chapter had survived attempts by a former state governor to “hijack” and trade the party’s structure.

He explained that the party was forced out of a larger office due to false promises of support but resisted the takeover attempt.

“We know their antecedents,” he said. “Bringing them into the SDP would have been like cancer in our system.”

Idris thanked the national leadership, especially Prince Adebayo, for backing the state chapter during the crisis and renewed his appeal for a befitting state secretariat.

He assured that Kaduna SDP structures from ward to local government levels remain intact, with loyal members overseeing them.