The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, on Tuesday challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to a public debate ahead of the 2027 presidential election, while unveiling a campaign plan that includes a N200 per litre petrol price, four functional refineries and 75,000 megawatts of electricity.
Adebayo issued the challenge in Abuja during the unveiling of his presidential manifesto, where he said the political leadership of Nigeria has not addressed Nigeria’s economic and security problems.
The event started with a well-attended public road show, provided a major highlight as SDP supporters and party leaders took the campaign message beyond the venue, signalling the commencement of the party’s grassroots mobilization ahead of the 2027 elections.
Prince Adewole Adebayo who is the presidential flagbearer of the SDP, stated, “The first challenge is for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to come out to debate.”
The SDP flagbearer said his administration, if elected, would ensure that Nigerians would not pay international market prices for petrol, arguing that the country had the resources to make energy more affordable.
“No Nigerian should be living in Nigeria and buying petrol at international prices. That is why we have arrived at N200 per litre for petrol,” Adebayo said.
He also promised to establish four functional refineries and increase electricity generation to 75,000MW.
On insecurity, Adebayo pledged to defeat banditry within four years, saying a change of government through the 2027 election could significantly reduce the activities of bandits.
“We are promising that in four years we will defeat insecurity. When you use your vote in 2027 to change the government, you have a chance of defeating 60 per cent of bandits,” he said.
Adebayo attributed the country’s economic and security challenges to poor leadership, accusing politicians occupying the Presidential Villa and state government houses of being responsible for Nigeria’s problems.
“It is the men in the Villa, government houses, that are the problem of Nigeria,” he said.
Earlier, SDP National Chairman Prof. Sadiq Gombe said the party’s manifesto was designed around three priorities: tackling insecurity, increasing production and guaranteeing prosperity for Nigerians.
“For too long, Nigerians have been asked to endure without results,” Gombe said.
He said an SDP administration would create the conditions for Nigerians to live securely, become productive and prosper.
Also speaking, Chairman of the occasion and Afenifere representative, Oba Olaitan Adedapo, pledged support for Adebayo and recalled the social development programmes of the old Western Region, particularly free education, healthcare, housing, and employment.
Prophet Isa El-Buba, who endorsed Adebayo, urged Nigerians to move beyond speeches to action, announcing plans to mobilise his grassroots networks across Kano and the North-Central states, while calling for credible candidates who command community support.
