2027: Adebayo Challenges Tinubu To Debate, Promises Four Refineries

The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to a public debate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Adebayo also promised to build four functional refineries and increase electricity generation to 75,000 megawatts if elected president.

He made the pledges yesterday in Abuja during the unveiling of his presidential manifesto, where he outlined his plans for tackling Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.

The SDP candidate said his administration would ensure that Nigerians no longer pay international market prices for petrol.

He proposed a pump price of not more than N200 per litre, arguing that Nigeria had enough resources to provide affordable energy for its citizens.

“The plan is to have four functional refineries in Nigeria and generate 75,000 megawatts of electricity,” Adebayo said.

He added, “No Nigerian should be living in Nigeria and buying petrol at international prices. That is why we have arrived at N200 per litre for petrol.”

Adebayo attributed the country’s economic and security difficulties to what he described as poor leadership by political elites.

He accused those occupying the Presidential Villa and state government houses of contributing to the problems confronting Nigerians.

“It is the men in the Villa, government houses, that are the problem of Nigeria,” he said.

On insecurity, the SDP candidate pledged to defeat banditry within four years if elected.

He argued that changing the government through the ballot in 2027 could significantly weaken the forces responsible for insecurity across the country.

“We are promising that in four years we will defeat insecurity,” Adebayo said.

He claimed that a change of government could eliminate up to 60 per cent of the banditry affecting the country.

The presidential candidate then turned his attention to Tinubu, challenging the incumbent to face him in a public debate before the election.

“The first challenge is for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to come out to debate,” he said.

Adebayo said his manifesto was designed to offer Nigerians an alternative approach to governance, with emphasis on energy, security and economic production.

Earlier, SDP National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, said the party’s manifesto focused on creating a more secure and productive country.

Gombe said the SDP would prioritise increased production and economic opportunities as part of its plan to improve living standards.

“For too long, Nigerians have been asked to endure without results,” he said.

He said an SDP government would create the conditions for Nigerians to live securely, become productive and achieve prosperity.

Also speaking, Chairman of the occasion and Afenifere representative, Oba Olaitan Adedapo, pledged support for Adebayo and recalled the social development programmes of the old Western Region, particularly free education, healthcare, housing and employment.

Prophet Isa El-Buba, who endorsed Adebayo, urged Nigerians to move beyond speeches to action, announcing plans to mobilise his grassroots networks across Kano and the North-Central states, while calling for credible candidates who command community support.

The event started with a road show, which provided a major highlight as SDP supporters and party leaders took the campaign message beyond the venue, signalling the commencement of the party’s grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.