The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over what he described as an uneven distribution of political appointments, saying the situation was an “insult” to Nigeria’s diversity.

Adebayo spoke when he led members of the SDP to the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) as part of consultations ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The SDP candidate said Nigeria could not be effectively governed without an understanding of its diverse peoples and regions, describing the Middle Belt as the geographical and political link between the northern and southern parts of the country.

He said the region had historically played a critical role in holding Nigeria together.

“Because we are Nigeria today because of the Middle Belt. Otherwise, it will be two different countries. It’s the middle of the North and the South,” Adebayo said.

He argued that the country’s challenges, including insecurity, poverty and identity-based tensions, were partly consequences of poor leadership and inadequate understanding of Nigeria’s diversity.

According to him, a leader who does not understand the Middle Belt would struggle to understand Nigeria as a whole.

Adebayo also described the Middle Belt as a major economic centre, arguing that its agricultural, water and other natural resources represented a significant portion of Nigeria’s potential wealth.

He said the country must move beyond its dependence on crude oil and develop its agricultural and industrial potential.

The SDP candidate called for a government that would give every part of the country a sense of belonging, stressing that Nigeria’s diversity should be reflected in appointments and governance.

Taking a swipe at the Tinubu administration, Adebayo said the distribution of ministerial appointments had failed to reflect the country’s diversity.

“The greatest shift in the present Tinubu’s administration, why it is difficult for the people of the South West to accept the government, is not just because it is a totally inactive government, which nobody can be proud of, or that it is corrupt and corrupting.

“It is that it is an insult to the generosity of the spirit of our society as you can see how the present president has agreed to go to one state and give three ministers for one state.”

He questioned the rationale for concentrating multiple ministerial positions in some states when other parts of the country had capable Nigerians who could contribute to governance.

Adebayo said Nigerians did not have to share the same ethnic or religious identity to build a common country.

“We are not a people who are of the same identity. We are only of the same destiny. We are different travellers going to different places. We are travelling in the same boat. So we are united about not sinking the boat,” he said.

He advocated religious tolerance, saying the Middle Belt demonstrated how Muslims, Christians and traditional believers could coexist.

According to him, no religious or ethnic group should be allowed to dominate others, stressing that justice and diversity should remain central to Nigeria’s system of government.

The SDP candidate said his party’s political programme was founded on social justice, inclusion and respect for Nigeria’s diversity.

Earlier, the National Chairman of the SDP, Professor Sadiq Gombe, described Adebayo’s visit as part of the party’s efforts to build support for its presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 election.

Gombe said Nigeria was in need of a rescue mission, arguing that the country’s leadership challenges had affected its development despite its strategic position in Africa.

He said Nigeria’s population was projected to rise significantly in the coming decades, yet the country continued to lag behind in several human development indicators.

Gombe described Adebayo as a committed party member who remained with the SDP after challenging the outcome of the 2023 presidential election in court.

He said Adebayo’s decision to remain with the party demonstrated his commitment to Nigeria and the SDP.

According to him, the party was prepared to present Adebayo to Nigerians as a credible alternative in 2027.

Responding, the National President of the Middle Belt Forum, Dr Bitrus Pogu, commended Adebayo for his presentation and understanding of the region and Nigeria’s political situation.

Pogu said the forum appreciated the SDP candidate’s knowledge of the Middle Belt and the wider Nigerian political environment.

He said the meeting was particularly significant because, according to the forum, it was the first time it was receiving a presidential candidate as part of consultations ahead of an election.

“This is the first point of your contact, for consultation. I can tell you, this is also the first time we are receiving a presidential candidate. And we are not going to take that for granted,” he said.

He recalled that the forum had consulted its stakeholders before the 2023 presidential election and subsequently supported a southern presidential candidate.

He said the forum’s position had not changed, stressing that it wanted the South to complete an eight-year presidential tenure before power moved to another region.

“We still want the southerners to finish or complete the eight years by 2027, by God’s grace,” Pogu said.

He, however, added that the Middle Belt also wanted the opportunity to produce Nigeria’s president, arguing that such a demand was consistent with the principles of fairness and justice.

“We will want the Middle Belt Forum to also produce the number one citizen of this country. And just like you said, it’s all in the spirit of fairness and justice,” he said.