The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the 2027 general election, Adewole Adebayo, has warned that Nigeria’s democracy is under threat, alleging that the country is gradually sliding toward authoritarianism under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking after his emergence as the consensus candidate of the SDP at the party’s national convention in Bauchi, Adebayo said the 2027 elections would be crucial to preserving democratic governance and political plurality in the country.

The former presidential candidate accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of attempting to weaken opposition politics and centralise political power, warning that democratic freedoms were steadily being eroded.

According to him, the nation was facing a deeper danger than a mere one-party state, claiming that the political system was being shaped around the dominance of a single individual.

Adebayo alleged that institutions meant to safeguard democracy, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, were increasingly under political influence and no longer operating with full independence.

He also accused the federal government of interfering in opposition parties and exerting pressure on political actors perceived as threats to the ruling establishment.

According to him, internal democracy had weakened significantly within the APC, where decisions were allegedly concentrated in the hands of a few individuals.

The SDP flag bearer further claimed that President Tinubu was extending political influence beyond the APC by seeking to shape the direction and leadership of other political parties in the country.

He described the successful conduct of the SDP convention as proof that opposition politics remained active despite alleged attempts by unnamed interests to frustrate the gathering.

Adebayo commended Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, for providing an enabling atmosphere for the convention to hold peacefully.

Calling for unity among opposition forces, the SDP candidate urged Nigerians across political, ethnic and religious divides to work together against corruption, insecurity, economic hardship and injustice.

He maintained that the SDP was preparing seriously for the 2027 elections and expressed confidence that the party would secure victory at the presidential poll while also making gains in governorship, National Assembly and state assembly elections nationwide.

Adebayo said the party’s focus was to build a government driven by accountability, economic recovery, security and improved welfare for citizens, stressing that Nigerians deserved leadership rooted in service and national development rather than personal ambition.