Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the 2027 general election, Adewole Adebayo, has criticised the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu, describing the administration’s management of the economy as a failure and arguing that official economic growth figures do not reflect the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.
Speaking during a televised interview, Adebayo said the country’s economic condition has deteriorated since the Tinubu administration assumed office in May 2023, despite government claims that its reforms are laying the foundation for long-term economic stability.
According to the SDP standard-bearer, while the current administration inherited economic challenges, its policies have worsened the situation through what he described as “economic illiteracy.”
“The economy is worse than when this administration came in. Poverty wasn’t this severe. Fuel wasn’t over ₦1,300 per litre. More companies were operating. Nigerians are paying more for food, transport, rent, school fees and building materials than they did in May 2023,” Adebayo said.
He dismissed the government’s emphasis on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth and other macroeconomic indicators, arguing that such statistics are meaningless if they do not translate into improved living standards for citizens.
Using a medical analogy, Adebayo likened the administration’s handling of the economy to “taking a patient to the hospital with malaria and leaving with a broken neck,” insisting that improved statistical indicators should not be celebrated if the overall condition of citizens has worsened.
The SDP candidate maintained that economic performance should be assessed alongside population growth, inflation, production costs and the government’s fiscal position, arguing that rising inflation, unemployment and declining purchasing power remain clear indicators that current policies have failed to improve the lives of Nigerians.
He also rejected repeated calls by the Federal Government for patience, saying elected leaders have a constitutional responsibility to deliver measurable results within their tenure.
“No government can ask people to spend the rest of their lives being patient while their lives are being ruined. You have four years. Perform within those four years. If you don’t perform, leave office and let someone else take over,” he said.
Outlining his economic agenda, Adebayo said that if elected president in 2027, his immediate priorities would include increasing government revenue, reducing public expenditure, tackling inflation and unemployment, and preventing further increases in the cost of living.
He added that rebuilding confidence in the economy would require policies aimed at protecting the purchasing power of Nigerians and ensuring that government actions lead to tangible improvements in citizens’ standard of living rather than increased economic hardship.
