The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party for the 2027 general election, Adewale Adebayo, has said he is “anointed by God” to provide what he described as a strong opposition to President Bola Tinubu ahead of the next presidential election.
Adebayo made the statement on Saturday during his acceptance speech after emerging as the SDP presidential candidate at the party’s primary election held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium.
He emerged unopposed as the only aspirant who purchased the party’s presidential nomination form.
Addressing party delegates and supporters, Adebayo said Nigerians were facing severe economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, poverty and poor leadership, stressing that the country urgently required a new direction.
According to him, many citizens were concerned about the growing number of unemployed graduates from universities and polytechnics, while families continued to battle hunger and poor access to healthcare services.
He said, “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.”
The SDP candidate also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of undermining internal democracy and weakening opposition parties across the country.
He alleged that opposition parties and democratic institutions were facing pressure aimed at limiting political competition ahead of the 2027 elections.
“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.
Adebayo, however, praised Bala Mohammed for ensuring that the convention was conducted peacefully despite what he described as political pressure.
He said, “I congratulate Governor Bala Mohammed for being a true representative of democracy.”
The SDP flag bearer expressed confidence that the party would win the 2027 presidential election and promised to deliver people-oriented governance at all levels.
“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.
Adebayo further pledged that an SDP-led administration would focus on reducing poverty, improving governance at the grassroots, strengthening democratic institutions and promoting accountability in public office.
The former presidential candidate maintained that his political struggle was not directed at any individual but against corruption, injustice, autocracy and poor 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 freedoms and support a multiparty system, warning against what he described as increasing efforts to silence opposition voices in the country.
Delegates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory reportedly endorsed Adebayo through a vote of confidence, leading to his emergence as the party’s presidential candidate.
