Adebayo Challenges Tinubu to Public Debate, Questions Fuel Subsidy Savings
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Oluwihe Gereadine Ifunanya
ABUJA — The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to a public debate on governance, accountability and the management of Nigeria’s resources ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adebayo issued the challenge in Abuja while unveiling the SDP’s 2027–2031 policy blueprint titled “Farewell to Poverty and Insecurity.”
The SDP presidential candidate said four years was enough time for a determined government to make significant changes in the country, arguing that Nigerians should be able to assess the performance of the current administration and demand accountability for public resources.
He particularly questioned the management of funds generated from the removal of the petrol subsidy, asking the Federal Government to explain how the savings had been utilised.
According to Adebayo, the debate should provide an opportunity for Nigerians to hear directly from the President and assess the policies and decisions of his administration.
“The first challenge is thrown to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu: come out of hiding.
Come and debate. Where have you been in the past four years? What have you been doing? Where is the money?” Adebayo said.
He also used the occasion to present the SDP’s proposed policy direction for the 2027–2031 period, with the blueprint focusing on addressing poverty, insecurity and other socioeconomic challenges confronting the country.
Adebayo’s challenge comes ahead of the 2027 presidential election, in which President Tinubu is expected to seek re-election.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu departed Abuja on August 30, 2026, for a three-week vacation in Europe, beginning with London.
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had said the trip was a working vacation, explaining that Tinubu would continue to perform official duties while away from the country.
The Presidency has maintained that the President’s absence from Abuja would not prevent the administration from carrying out its responsibilities.
Adebayo, however, used his call for a public debate to raise broader questions about governance and accountability, particularly concerning the government’s handling of funds and its performance since assuming office.
The SDP candidate said Nigerians deserved greater transparency from those entrusted with managing the country’s resources.
His call for a debate adds to the growing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, as opposition parties and presidential aspirants begin to articulate their policy positions and challenge the performance of the incumbent administration.
The SDP’s “Farewell to Poverty and Insecurity” blueprint is expected to form part of Adebayo’s campaign message as the party prepares for the 2027 presidential contest.
The proposed debate, if accepted, would provide an opportunity for the candidates to publicly present their records, policies and plans for Nigeria while allowing voters to compare their respective visions for the country.
