ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP,) for the 2027 general election, Adewale Adebayo, has declared that he is “anointed by God” to provide what he described as a befitting opposition to President Bola Tinubu ahead of the next presidential election.
Adebayo made the declaration on Saturday while delivering his acceptance speech after emerging as the party’s presidential candidate during the SDP presidential primary held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium.
The former presidential candidate emerged unopposed as the only aspirant who purchased the party’s presidential nomination form.
Addressing party delegates and supporters, Adebayo lamented the growing hardship, insecurity, unemployment and poverty across the country, insisting that Nigeria urgently needed a new direction.
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According to him, many Nigerian graduates remain unemployed years after leaving universities and polytechnics, while families continue to struggle daily with hunger and poor access to healthcare.
“The answer is that God is taking His time to give us a day like this. I am anointed by God to give President Tinubu a befitting opposition,” he declared.
Adebayo also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, of weakening internal democracy and attempting to suppress opposition parties ahead of the 2027 election.
“What we are doing here, they cannot do it. They wait for one person to choose everybody for them. We need different political parties that believe in different things,” he said.
He further alleged that pressure was being mounted on opposition parties and democratic institutions in a bid to limit political competition in the country.
Despite his criticism, the SDP candidate commended Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed for allowing the convention to hold peacefully despite what he described as political pressure.
“I congratulate Governor Bala Mohammed for being a true representative of democracy,” he said.
Adebayo expressed confidence that the SDP would emerge victorious in the 2027 presidential election, promising to deliver people-oriented leadership if elected into office.
“We are going to contest the presidential election taking place in January 2027 and, by God’s grace, we will win for the people of Nigeria,” he stated.
The SDP flag bearer also pledged to tackle poverty, strengthen democratic institutions, improve grassroots governance and promote accountability in public office.
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The former presidential candidate stressed that his political battle was not against individuals but against corruption, injustice and bad governance.
“I am not an enemy of any politician. I am an enemy of corruption, injustice, unaccountability and autocracy,” he added.
He also urged Nigerians to defend democratic values and support multiparty democracy, warning against what he described as increasing attempts to silence opposition voices across the country.
Adebayo eventually emerged as the party’s presidential candidate following a vote of confidence and endorsement by delegates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.