If we do free, fair elections and Tinubu wins again, he deserves handshake — SDP’s Adebayo

By Adegboyega Adeleye

The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Prince Adewole Adebayo, says President Bola Tinubu deserves to be congratulated if he wins a free, fair and credible election in 2027.

Speaking on Vanguard’s Politics Hub, Adebayo said the real focus should be on issues affecting Nigerians and ensuring a transparent electoral process rather than political rhetoric and distractions. “If we do free, fair and credible election, Tinubu wins again, he deserves a handshake,” he said.

There are places in Nigeria where no one recognises Tinubu – SDP presidential candidate Adebayo

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He added that he is not concerned about the size of Tinubu’s support base, insisting that every candidate has the opportunity to win more voters through ideas, policies and engagement with the people.

Adebayo also claimed that many Nigerians remain disconnected from mainstream political conversations, insisting there are communities across the country where residents do not recognise President Bola Tinubu.

“I’m not a social media candidate. I’m not the candidate of television studios and early morning shows. I am a candidate who wants to go to the people and meet them where they are,” he said.

According to him, many Nigerians are more concerned about survival than online political debates. “Nigerians are not online, they are looking for food to eat. Many don’t have electricity. Many don’t have money for data,” he stated.

Drawing from his travels across the country, Adebayo said he had visited communities where residents neither recognised him nor knew who Tinubu was. “I show them pictures of Tinubu and many of them do not recognise him. If you go to some communities in Taraba State and mention Tinubu, many people will look at you as if you are talking about a trader,” he said, adding that politics must return to grassroots engagement rather than being driven solely by social media conversations.

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