Abuja: Dr Adewole Adebayo, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has called for a greater focus on leadership, governance, and development issues as a strategy to address Nigeria’s challenges. Adebayo made these remarks during a closed-door meeting with former and serving lawmakers, party members, and politicians in Abuja on Thursday. He also discussed perceptions about Northern Nigeria and the political future of the country.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Adebayo emphasized the importance of Northern Nigeria, highlighting its agricultural potential, natural resources, and youthful population that could significantly contribute to economic development. He pointed out that the challenges faced by the country are linked to corruption, inadequate investment, and governance issues, rather than being specific to any particular region.
He noted that the North’s resources and human capital remain underutilized due to insufficient investment in education, infrastructure, and skills development over the years. Adebayo stressed that the region’s large population should be viewed as an opportunity, asserting that young Nigerians nationwide could meaningfully contribute to national development if provided with quality education and opportunities.
Adebayo identified agriculture as a key area of potential growth for Northern Nigeria, emphasizing the need for utilizing its arable land to support food production and economic expansion. “Where is the land to do agriculture? Agriculture cannot be done in the air; it has to be done on the ground,” he remarked.
Addressing the issue of insecurity, Adebayo highlighted the need for stronger institutions, effective leadership, and investment in human capacity to tackle security challenges. He questioned the prevailing approaches that focus mainly on creating security structures without corresponding investment in personnel, training, and resources.
Adebayo also called for a shift in the perception of Northern Nigeria, asserting that people in the region have the capacity to innovate and compete when given the right opportunities. He cited the transformation of Abuja into the nation’s capital as an example of how deliberate investment can drive development.
Regarding calls for opposition parties to unite ahead of the 2027 elections, Adebayo noted that Nigeria’s Constitution allows for one president at a time, whether elected through a coalition or an individual political party. He stressed that the priority should be on selecting leaders committed to the rule of law, accountability, and good governance.
Adebayo concluded that addressing Nigeria’s challenges requires improved leadership and policies that enable all regions to contribute to national development.