POLITICS
SDP Won’t Form Alliance With People With No Clear Ideology – Adebayo
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has reiterated his position that the party would not go into alliance with politicians who have no clear-cut ideology on how to improve the lives of suffering Nigerians.
Addressing journalists at his country home in Ondo GRA ahead of the Prince Adewole Adebayo 2025 Christmas Marathon and Queen Lilian Adebayo Health Walk in Ondo City on Sunday, he noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is a disaster that has brought so much agony and pains on Nigerians.
He stressed that what Nigeria needs are leaders with patriotic zeal to take the country out of the woods and restore hope of survival to Nigerians and not people who would become worse than Tinubu in power.
He lamented that those pushing for alliance lack credibility, clear ideology and the moral standing required to put the country on the right footing, and stressed that it would be counterproductive to oust Tinubu, who is already a disaster, and replace him with those who will wreak more havoc and disaster on Nigerians.
He clarified the SDP was never opposed to coalition but emphasized that the party would not align with individuals who have questionable characters or those whose records and motivations contradict the party’s values.
“We are talking with the coalition, and we are trying to find a common purpose. This common purpose has to have meaning in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
“The fact that President Bola Tinubu is a disaster does not mean I should accept the same things I dislike him for from others. That’s why I interviewed each of them who came. I don’t even bother to interview some of them, and you all know them,” he said.
He argued that many opposition figures attempting to form a coalition are merely trying to capitalise on public anger over the present government’s disastrous performance and not that they will offer any genuine alternative.
“They are people seeking patronage in government under the guise of fighting for the masses.
“I think it’s better to make sure that the person who wants to collaborate with us doesn’t have similar tendencies like the person we want to take away power from.
“President Tinubu is a disaster, no doubt about it. He has failed economically, politically, socially and even in security which is the primary purpose of any government – to secure the lives and property of citizens. But, I can assure you that these people, who are mouthing coalition, are going to be worse if we don’t interrogate them properly.
“When the current All Progressive Congress leaders formed their own coalition to remove Good luck Jonathan and I saw their mascot, the late President Muhammadu Buhari, I was convinced that we would be dead. And that was what happened.
“Buhari was a plague on Nigerians but Tinubu has proven to be even worse than Buhari.
“We are still in coalition talks but we should make sure that someone who is worse is not smuggled in. Some people are doing coalition after leaving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody on bail,” he said.
The SDP leader stressed that any coalition which the party must be a part of, must be based on shared ideology and accountability.
“You must first confess your contribution to the problems we are facing today as a country before you can talk about coalition,” he said.
He noted many politicians are driven by dependence on government patronage, positing how he persuaded his party leaders that remaining out of power was preferable to betraying Nigerians.
“Some people are incapable of being outside the government for six hours because they are used to free cars, houses and privileges.
“For me, if you cannot help the Nigerian people, let us not kill them. It is better not to enter into the government than to become enemies of the people.
“Tinubu is a failure but let us not put his likes or those worse than him in government,” he said.
Kabiru Garba, Zamfara Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) says the party is ready to take over Zamfara from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2027 General Elections.
Garba stated this while speaking to newsmen on Wednesday at the stakeholders’ meeting for the phase II Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise in Gusau.
Garba stated that the party was receiving new members from various political parties in the state.
“As I am speaking to you now, we are busy every day receiving high caliber political stakeholders in the state.
“People believe with the ideologies of our great party, the party is getting more popular on a daily basis.
“We are becoming stronger, the party is capable of winning all political offices in the state including the governorship position in the 2027 general elections,” the party Chairman explained.
Garba said that the ADC was the “most popular party in Zamfara” as people of the state were willing to join the party on a daily basis.
“The ADC is ready for the election, even if it’s held tomorrow.
“I believe people of the state are ever ready to vote for ADC, they are tired with the ongoing administration in the state aled by the PDP.
“The entire Nigerians are also tired with the ongoing administration of the All Progressive Congress (APC),”he added.
Garba commended the arrangements by INEC for the second phase of the CVR exercise.
He assured that the ADC would mobilise and sensitise its members in the state to participate actively in the exercise.
Former Senate Leader and Oyo State Ambassador for Renewed Hope, Sen. Teslim Folarin, said President Bola Tinubu’s bold reforms will lay a strong foundation for long-term national growth.
He stated this on Monday during the ongoing 14-Federal Constituency Tour jointly organised by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in collaboration with Oyo All Progressives Congress(APC), at Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East and Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituencies.
Folarin noted that the ongoing reform agenda is necessary to stabilise the economy, stressing that effective communication of these reforms at the grassroots level would be critical to winning public understanding and sustained support.
He stated that the federal constituency tour was designed to strengthen internal cohesion, rebuild confidence within party structures, and lay a solid foundation for early and disciplined mobilisation ahead of the 2027 polls.
“Ibadan is the political nerve centre of the South-West. Oyo state proved its strength in 2023 by giving the president the highest differential votes nationwide.
“In 2027, we are ready to raise the bar and deliver record votes for Mr. President.
“Leaders of the APC in Oyo state have resolved to mobilise a record number of votes for the president in the 2027 general elections, signalling an early and coordinated consolidation of party structures across the state,” Folarin said.
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, emphasised the importance of unity, early reconciliation, and disciplined mobilisation.
He noted that electoral success depends on consistent engagement at ward and polling unit levels, rather than last minute campaigns.
The Oyo State Chairman of the APC, Olayide Abas, called for intensified voter education, continuous voter registration, and coordinated mobilisation ahead of the next general elections.
Former First Lady of Oyo State, Florence Ajimobi, urged party leaders and supporters to remain united, stressing that cohesion and discipline were vital to sustaining the APC’s strength in the state.
She said the engagements provided an opportunity to reconnect with the grassroots and consolidate support for the president ahead of 2027.
A gubernatorial aspirant, Dr. Adewale Kareem, described the federal constituency tour as timely, noting that it had helped to rebuild confidence within party structures.
He called for sustained mobilisation and voter education, adding that the unity of stakeholders and early preparation would be key to securing victory for the president in the 2027 general elections.
APC chieftains at the event included Sen. Sharafadeen Alli, Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari, Sen. Yunus Akintunde, Sen. Femi Lanlehin, Sen. Ayo Adeseun, Sen. Hosea Agboola, Sen. Kola Balogun, and other key party stakeholders.
Others were Hon. Remi Oseni, Hon. Akeem Adeyemi, former Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu and Barrister Akeem Agbaje among others.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo has condemned the attack on the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Ehizojie Abumere II, by protesters in Ekpoma.
This was contained in a statement signed by Dr. Patrick Ebojele, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor on Monday in Benin.
The governor’s condemnation came after he visited the palace to personally assess the damage allegedly caused by the protesters.
The protesters had allegedly invaded the palace under the guise of expressing grievances over insecurity.
Okpebholo was accompanied by the Edo State Commissioner of Police, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), state chairman and other party stakeholders.
According to the statement, vehicles within the palace compound were vandalised, while canopies and chairs were broken. Cartons of Indomie noodles belonging to Onojie’s wife, who trades in the product, were also destroyed.
Doors and windows of the palace were also damaged.
Okpebholo described the invasion of the palace and the looting of property as criminal and unacceptable, stressing that protests must never be used as an excuse for lawlessness.
He disclosed that a security meeting was held earlier in the week with a strong focus on Edo Central Senatorial District, particularly the Ekpoma axis.
Okpebholo added that the government had rolled out strategic, technology-driven security operations.
The Governor warned that those who hijacked the protest to vandalise the palace and loot property would be brought to justice.
“I want to thank Your Highness for the love you have shown to me and our people over the years.
“They came under the guise of protest and sentiments, then resorted to looting and violence. This is unacceptable.
“We will go after them the same way we are going after kidnappers. Nobody should test our patience.
“I am an Esan man and I got my highest votes here in Ekpoma. I will not allow bad things to happen in this land. In the coming days, our actions will speak for themselves. Nobody involved in this criminality will be spared,” he said.
He assured the traditional ruler and the people of Ekpoma that decisive security operations were imminent.
He noted that peace, law, and order would be fully restored in the community and across Edo Central.
The Onojie Abumere II, described the incident as unfortunate, alleging that many of the protesters were under the influence of illicit drugs.
“What transpired was very sad. Many of them were under the influence of drugs. If not for God’s intervention, something worse would have happened,” he said.
He explained that he attempted to address the protesters when they first arrived but was prevented from doing so.
According to him, the protesters later returned while he was away attending a security meeting with other traditional rulers, forced their way into the palace, and unleashed violence.
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