The 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has said that Nigeria cannot attain true democracy until poverty is eradicated, stressing that hunger and deprivation make citizens vulnerable to manipulation during elections.
Adebayo, who spoke on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, on Friday, said the country is still far from genuine democracy and only operating under a civil rule system.
According to him, Nigeria is taking “baby steps” in its democratic journey and still grappling with the basic principles that sustain democratic governance such as free and fair elections, respect for the rule of law, and the welfare of citizens.
“The Nigerian democracy hasn’t come yet. What we have is civil rule; we are working towards democracy. We are taking baby steps and we are falling from time to time,” he said.
The SDP chieftain explained that no nation can be truly democratic when its citizens live in abject poverty, adding that hunger compromises the freedom of choice that democracy demands.
“Democracy and poverty do not go hand in hand,” he stated. “A poor nation cannot be truly democratic because hunger makes people vulnerable to manipulation. Nigeria must create abundant living conditions before we can say we are practicing democracy.”
Prince Adebayo expressed concern that most Nigerian leaders are more attracted to the privileges of office than the responsibilities that come with governance.
“Our leaders enjoy power, and when people enjoy power, they don’t want to lose it. But they don’t know that the ultimate power is in freedom,” he said.
He described Nigeria’s leadership crisis as a result of excessive greed, lack of reflection, and irresponsible exercise of authority.
“Our leaders have three problems,” he said. “They are consumed by greed, they fail to reflect on their purpose, and they seek power without responsibility. Power without reflection becomes dangerous because it blinds them to their duty.”
On the appointment of Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Adebayo said he had no expectations, describing the process as “routine and unreflective.”
“I’m not expecting anything, so I don’t have stomach ulcer,” he said wittily. “He was appointed routinely and approved routinely. The only thing I can offer him is prayer — that he remembers the values his mother instilled in him: do not lie, do not support evil, and do what is right.”
Adebayo faulted the National Assembly for conducting what he described as a superficial screening exercise, which he said failed to inspire public confidence.
“How do you clear someone who will preside over our electoral future in just two hours?” he queried. “There should have been a proper public hearing where Nigerians could contribute and the appointee himself would understand the seriousness of the job.”
The lawyer and former presidential candidate further stated that casual handling of constitutional duties has made Nigerians lose faith in public institutions.
He also criticized the way presidential pardons are issued, saying the current approach lacks moral reflection and accountability.
“The problem is not that the President has no power to pardon people. The problem is that he has not thought deeply about why that power was given to him,” he said. “It’s not meant for frivolities or playing games.”
Prince Adebayo emphasized that democracy in Nigeria will remain fragile until leaders begin to think deeply about their purpose in office and govern with humility and empathy.
“The presidency is a serious office — the highest in the land,” he said. “That is why we call the President His Excellency. But there must be excellence in thinking, not just in title.”
He maintained that the path to true democracy begins with eradicating poverty and restoring public trust in governance.
“People want to be in power but not take responsibility. Until that changes, Nigeria will keep taking baby steps towards true democracy,” Adebayo concluded.
Spot on.