Prince Adewole Adebayo, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 election, has criticised Chief Bola Tinubu, stating that he is “in power but not in government.”
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Adebayo expressed concerns that Tinubu has focused more on consolidating power rather than implementing policies to tackle Nigeria’s pressing challenges.
Adebayo acknowledged some progress in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the Ministry of Interior, citing efforts from the ministers of both areas as signs of governance. However, he stated that these exceptions do not reflect broader governmental success.
Adebayo remarked, ” I don’t agree because he is not in government, he is only in power, he is not using the power to govern. He is using the power for other things, so he is not able to know what it means to say the government is doing well.
“But in FCT for example, that is one area you can say you see a sign that they want to govern, the Minister, and the minister of Interior, I think the two ministers are making serious attempts to govern, outside that, I’m sorry, there is no sign that they want to govern”.
Adebayo also weighed in on the recent presidential media chat, asserting that Nigerians deserve more frequent and substantive engagements with Tinubu.
He criticized Tinubu’s comments, particularly his assertion that his administration is performing well, calling for more accountability and meaningful discourse during media sessions.
He added, “The presidential media chat should be routine, the media must hold the president accountable instead of treating such occasions as ceremonial events. What he said on that day, many of which I disagree with, if that is what he has to say in several months, almost one and a half years, I’m not impressed with that.
“The President should answer questions on a day-to-day basis, to convince the people that he understands what he is doing; understands the philosophy behind his actions, he knows the implications and he has a kind of vision on what he wants to do, and I assume that the media will not go there like Christmas guests, who are being polite to their host, they should go there and do their own job too.”
Despite his reservations, Adebayo urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and not to perceive the current administration as the only alternative. He emphasised that hope is a personal investment that transcends any government.
“Even during the civil war, when there was no food or security, people remained hopeful. Governance should not define hope; it is what keeps us going as a nation,” Adebayo concluded.
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