Social Democratic Party presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, has accused President Bola Tinubu of attempting to interfere in opposition political parties and undermine democratic competition ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking in an interview on ARISE News on Tuesday, Adebayo alleged that the president was trying to control activities within opposition parties while also influencing institutions meant to remain independent.

“You can’t be candidate general of the opposition. You have to stick to your own party,” Adebayo said.

“The president wants to belong to every political party, also act as the chairman of INEC, and the part-time chief justice of Nigeria.”

Adebayo made the remarks while responding to questions about reported divisions within the SDP and claims by another individual Akinbola Atanda that he was also a presidential candidate of the party.

The SDP candidate dismissed the claim, insisting that the party did not recognise Atanda as a member or aspirant.

“We don’t know him in the SDP. We don’t know him,” he said.

“Well, I could say I’m the Pope, but I’m not. You see, the Catholics know who’s the Pope.”

Adebayo further accused the Tinubu administration of attempting to weaken opposition parties through alleged political interference.

“I know President Tinubu is the author of all of this drama,” he said.

According to him, the ruling APC was unwilling to allow open political competition.

“The whole idea is not to have competition,” Adebayo said.

“And they want to master that by having pseudo candidates in other political parties and have a coronation.”

He also criticised the conduct of APC primaries, claiming the governing party was only pretending to hold democratic contests. (Arise News)

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