The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the 2027 general election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has declared that Nigeria was drifting toward “one-man rule,” warning Nigerians to defend democratic freedom before it is eroded completely.

Adebayo spoke in Bauchi at the weekend shortly after emerging as the consensus presidential candidate of the party during its national convention attended by delegates and party leaders from across the country.

In a strongly worded acceptance speech, the former presidential candidate accused President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of shrinking democratic space, weakening opposition politics and attempting to dominate Nigeria’s political structure.

According to him, the 2027 election would represent a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic history and a battle to preserve multiparty democracy in the country. “The little freedom we have is about to be taken away from us. People have told me Nigeria is in danger of one-party rule. I said the real danger is one-man rule because that is where they are taking us”, he said.

He alleged that democratic institutions were increasingly coming under political pressure, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which he claimed was no longer operating independently.

Adebayo further accused the federal government of interfering in the affairs of opposition political parties and intimidating political actors perceived as threats to the ruling establishment. According to him, even members of the APC were no longer free within their own party structure.