The 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has urged Nigerians to exercise their constitutional right to vote, cautioning against apathy or calls for boycotts that could undermine the nation’s democratic process.

Speaking during an appearance on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, on Wednesday, Adebayo stressed that active participation in elections remains central to ensuring accountability and fostering a government that reflects the people’s aspirations.

“When citizens abstain from voting, it is not the politicians who lose; it is the people themselves. SDP calls on every Nigerian to recognize the power they hold in their hands during elections, to reject calls for boycotts, and to ensure that their voices are part of the national conversation. True change is impossible without participation, and our party is dedicated to mobilizing Nigerians to exercise this fundamental right.” He said.

Concerns have continued to mount among Nigerians over recent developments in the country’s electoral and political landscape, particularly surrounding the proposed Electoral Act 2026 and ongoing party crises. Critics argue that certain provisions in the new electoral framework could weaken transparency especially debates around electronic transmission of results and enforcement of penalties for electoral offences raising fears of potential manipulation and reduced accountability in future elections. 

These concerns have been further heightened by instability within opposition parties, including the crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdrew recognition of the David Mark-led leadership following a Court of Appeal ruling, leaving the party in disarray pending legal resolution.

The situation has fueled broader concerns about the weakening of opposition politics in Nigeria, with fears that internal divisions, regulatory pressures, and shifting alliances could lead to the collapse or fragmentation of smaller political parties ahead of the 2027 elections. Some stakeholders warn that such trends may limit electoral choices, deepen voter apathy, and tilt the system toward a dominant-party structure. 

Against this backdrop, Adebayo insists that participation not withdrawal remains the most effective tool for democratic change.

He warned that disengagement from the electoral process only strengthens entrenched political interests and allows politicians with questionable records to dominate the national space. According to him, democracy requires the active involvement of citizens, from voting to holding leaders accountable.

“I understand the cynicism many Nigerians feel. It is easy to be disillusioned when promises are broken, when corruption seems unchecked, or when government actions fail to meet expectations. But disengagement is not the solution. Refusing to vote or calling for a boycott only hands power back to the same individuals and systems that perpetuate failure. It is the people’s duty to reclaim the process, to ensure their voices are counted, and to demand accountability at every level of government,” he said.

Adebayo emphasized that voting is both a right and a civic responsibility, urging Nigerians to use the ballot as a tool for reforming governance and reshaping leadership.

“We cannot stop emphasizing the need for electoral laws to be constitutional, to be fair, and to be democratic. But the Nigerian people cannot boycott elections that will determine their fate. We will use their same election to solve all the problems. We should encourage our people to register en masse, register to vote, pay attention to the issues, and ensure that credible leaders emerge from their communities,” he added.

He further stressed that meaningful political change requires collective participation and a deliberate effort to replace ineffective leadership through democratic means.

“And make sure that you have good neighbours, leaders in your community, you bring them out, and get them to come and run for offices, and we change the politicians, so that we ensure that in the entire National Assembly, not even one person is brought back, so that we can have a fresh start. The best solution to bad laws is to change the lawmakers, and you can only do that by participating fully in the election.”

*Government Failing Nigerians, Says Adebayo*

Adebayo strongly criticized the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that the government has failed to deliver on its promises in key areas such as security, employment, economic growth, and anti-corruption. He argued that the hardship faced by Nigerians reflects a leadership failure that must be addressed through democratic change.

“I would focus on the fact that the government is not governing well. It is not delivering the goods to the Nigerian people. The promises that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made… have not been kept. The vast majority of Nigerians don't belong to any political party, and the government is failing them. Our focus in the SDP is to wake Nigerians up so that we come together and change the leadership of this country democratically.”

*Focus on Governance, Not Political Distractions*

He maintained that while political interference and inter-party conflicts exist, they should not distract from the real issue of governance failure.

“Politics is what politics is. The President and the APC have chosen to focus on manipulating political parties and creating problems for them. But that is not the main issue facing Nigerians. What is facing Nigerians is that the government is failing them.”

*Legal Action Without Losing Focus*

Adebayo noted that while SDP continues to challenge unconstitutional policies and political interference through legal means, such efforts will not overshadow its core mission of improving governance.

“Where we need to go to court, we go to court… where they pass very wrong electoral act, we have spoken. But we are not going to make that the main topic of our political activism.”

*Worsening Living Conditions Across Nigeria*

Highlighting the realities faced by citizens, Adebayo described a worsening socio-economic situation marked by failing healthcare, insecurity, unemployment, and economic hardship.

“And the people of Nigeria are dying in hospitals that don't have medicine, dying on roads that are not properly paved. People are jobless, people are losing their lives due to insecurity. Even those who have jobs cannot survive. These are the real issues we must focus on.”

*Ensuring Elections Reflect Citizens’ Aspirations*

Adebayo stressed that Nigerians must not allow fear, misinformation, or political manipulation to discourage them from voting, emphasizing that participation strengthens democracy.

“Every vote counts, and every citizen has a role to play in shaping the Nigeria we want. Our democracy is strengthened when people step up and refuse to be sidelined.”

He warned that voter apathy only benefits entrenched political elites.

“Disengagement benefits no one except those who thrive on the status quo. When citizens abstain, it is not the politicians who lose it is the people themselves.”

*SDP’s Vision for Democratic Renewal*

Adebayo concluded by reiterating SDP’s commitment to ethical leadership and citizen-driven governance, urging Nigerians to see participation as the pathway to reclaiming power and reshaping the country’s future.

“We are not only asking Nigerians to vote; we are asking them to vote wisely. Abstaining or boycotting is not the path to change engagement is. We must step forward, exercise our rights, and demand governance that reflects our collective aspirations.”

Reinforcing the need for leadership change, he maintained that the focus should remain on delivering better governance rather than political survival.

“We don’t want all the story about us to be about how we are fighting APC, and how we are fighting to survive. This is more about how we are planning to take care of the welfare of the people, the security of the people, and give the people a better government than the APC is doing. That is basically what we are focused on.”