Adebayo Warns Against Complacency in Nigeria’s Democracy

By Chinedu Echianu

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has called for comprehensive electoral and political reforms in Nigeria, warning that failure to act will allow the nation’s democratic institutions to “deform under the weight of unresolved crises.”

Adebayo stated this at the National Electoral Reforms Summit in Abuja, organised by the National Consultative Front (NCFront) and the Labour and Civil Society Front (LCSF) with the theme: “Critical Constitutional Amendments for Credible Elections in 2027”, a pan-Nigerian dialogue held in commemoration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.

He said Nigeria must move beyond rhetoric to implement structural changes that make democracy meaningful to citizens. “There is no way to stay static in nature. If you refuse to reform voluntarily, you will be deformed by the circumstances around,” he stated.

He observed that Nigerians have “democratized grievances,” as both citizens and political elites’ express frustration with the state of governance. According to him, the persistent failure to deliver credible elections and good governance has eroded public trust. “When ordinary Nigerians complain, those who have been in government since 1999 also complain. But those who presided over the affairs of Nigeria cannot blame the people for being patient rather than violent. We should not mistake their gentleness for acceptance,” Adebayo said.

The SDP leader emphasized that reforms must go beyond the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to include political parties, which he described as the “factories that produce leaders.” “You cannot reform INEC without reforming political parties. If political parties lack principles, they will keep producing unprincipled leaders. That’s where the real problem lies,” he said.

Adebayo listed five critical issues undermining Nigeria’s democracy:

Politics as a survival tool rather than a service to the nation.

An unprepared political class focused on self-enrichment.

A restless, excluded generation denied the benefits of citizenship.

Sentiment-driven politics rooted in religion and ethnicity.

A citizenry that seeks a good country without being good citizens.

He noted that democracy in Nigeria has not yet matured into a culture, adding that “democracy is one school you never graduate from, one exam you never stop taking.” Turning to comments by former U.S. President Donald Trump about insecurity in Nigeria, Adebayo cautioned Nigerians against politicizing the remarks. “We should not turn Trump’s comments into a Christian-Muslim debate. Insecurity affects everyone. If anyone wants to help, they must help all Nigerians, not one section,” he said.

Adebayo urged the Tinubu administration to take decisive action to protect citizens and stop using security challenges as an excuse for corruption. “The Nigerian armed forces can protect the entire West African region if allowed. But they cannot protect their own barracks if leadership refuses to act,” he remarked.

He also dismissed arguments based on sovereignty when citizens’ lives are at risk, stressing that international law does not condone neglect or mass killings by governments. “Sovereignty that conflicts with humanitarian law will be ignored. You cannot claim sovereignty and kill or neglect your people,” he warned.

In conclusion, Adebayo called on Nigerians — regardless of religion or ethnicity — to unite in demanding reforms that make democracy work for all.

“Democracy must have meaning in the lives of the people. It must be clean, fair, and predictable. If you are popular, you should win elections — and if you fail the people, you should lose,” he declared.