2027: Tinubu Must Be Nigeria’s Last Embarrassing President — Adebayo

Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has criticised President Bola Tinubu, expressing hope that the current administration will mark the end of what he described as “embarrassing presidents” in Nigeria.

Adebayo made the remarks while reacting to the recent meeting between President Tinubu and a delegation of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), which visited the Presidential Villa in Abuja to discuss the country’s worsening economic conditions and the hardship facing Nigerians.

The meeting, held on July 28, generated widespread public debate following comments made by the President, the Presidency and the Archbishop Emeritus of the Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan.

Speaking after the visit, Cardinal Onaiyekan disclosed that President Tinubu did not accept the concerns raised by the bishops regarding the severe economic challenges confronting millions of Nigerians.

Reacting to the development, Adebayo said the bishops should have immediately organised a national prayer session after hearing the President’s response, insisting that his remarks reflected a troubling disconnect from the realities facing ordinary citizens.

According to the SDP chieftain, the bishops approached the President with genuine concerns about the welfare of Nigerians and deserved a more thoughtful and responsible engagement.

“I am surprised that the Catholic bishops could meet with President Tinubu, listen to him speak the way he did, and leave the Presidential Villa without calling for an emergency national prayer,” Adebayo said.

He argued that the President’s disposition suggested either that Nigeria was paying the price for its collective mistakes or that Tinubu was exposing himself through his own actions.

Drawing from his upbringing in Catholic schools, Adebayo said situations involving unusual behaviour often prompted collective prayers and reflection, adding that the country’s religious leaders should continue praying for the President while also speaking truth to power.

He maintained that spiritual intervention alone would not be enough unless leaders were constantly reminded of their responsibility to the Nigerian people.

Adebayo expressed optimism that the country would move beyond the current style of leadership and urged Nigerians to demand greater accountability, empathy and competence from future leaders.

He concluded by saying he hopes President Tinubu will be remembered as the last Nigerian leader whose conduct in office becomes a source of national embarrassment, stressing that citizens deserve leadership capable of addressing their concerns with sincerity and responsibility.