By David Odama
The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for failing to personally attend the signing of an electoral peace accord, warning that his absence sends a “wrong signal” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking shortly after the ceremony, Adebayo said Tinubu, as the country’s highest political authority and a beneficiary of the electoral process, had a responsibility to personally demonstrate his commitment to peaceful, free and credible elections.
“President Tinubu not showing up today is showing that he’s not committed to peace,” Adebayo said.
He argued that the President’s presence would have reassured political parties, candidates, security agencies and voters that the Federal Government was serious about preventing electoral violence and protecting the integrity of the vote.
According to him, Tinubu’s absence could also influence how government officials and security personnel interpret the administration’s commitment to electoral peace.
“He’s sending a wrong signal to law enforcement, people who work for the government, that the president looks like he’s not committed enough,” he said.
Adebayo urged Tinubu to explain his absence and publicly reaffirm his commitment to a peaceful electoral process.
The SDP candidate also rejected the suggestion that official duties or national-security concerns could justify the President’s absence, arguing that the survival of democracy is itself a major national-security responsibility.
“There’s no more national security than the continuity of the state,” he said, stressing that the electoral process was what brought Tinubu to office.
Adebayo said the event had reportedly been scheduled to accommodate the President and claimed that Tinubu had earlier indicated that he would attend.
“Everything was made to accommodate the president, including timing, including date, and he gave word that he was going to be there,” he said.
Describing the issue as a moral rather than legal one, Adebayo said political leaders must personally uphold the principles of peace and democratic governance.
“It’s something that is personal to you because you are the one elected, you are the one who will commit,” he said.
He further linked the matter to Tinubu’s inauguration pledge to uphold and defend the Nigerian Constitution, arguing that the President should lead by example as the country approaches the 2027 elections.
