The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 general election, Adewole Adebayo, has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has undue influence over Nigeria's electoral process.
Adebayo made the claim while speaking during an interview on Politics Hub, a programme hosted by Vanguard, where he discussed preparations for the 2027 general elections and the SDP's strategy ahead of the polls.
According to him, the party has continued grassroots engagement across the country since the last election, insisting that direct interaction with Nigerians remains crucial despite what he described as challenges within the electoral system.
“Since the last election, we continue to visit people wherever they are because Tinubu can produce his own votes because he’s the INEC chairman himself,” Adebayo said.
The SDP chieftain stressed the importance of reconnecting with voters at the grassroots, drawing comparisons with Nigeria's First Republic political leaders, whom he said maintained close contact with the people.
“You need to go back to our people the same way our leaders in the First Republic did. You needed to see Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello and Nnamdi Azikiwe. When these people went for campaigns, dust covered their bodies,” he stated.
Adebayo further said he has continued to travel across the country to better understand the needs of Nigerians and strengthen the party's presence ahead of future elections.
“I do everything to cover everywhere in Nigeria. I know the deficiency. I know where people are, and I know that you need to go and meet them where they are,” he added.
His remarks come as political parties begin early consultations and grassroots mobilization ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had responded publicly to Adebayo's allegations.