2027: SDP’s Adebayo faults Tinubu’s absence at National Peace Accord

Prince Adewole Adebayo, the presidential candidate for Nigeria's Social Democratic Party (SDP), has voiced strong criticism regarding President Bola Tinubu's absence from the National Peace Accord signing ceremony. The event, held in Abuja, was intended to foster a commitment to peaceful elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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President Tinubu not showing up today, he is showing that he is not committed to peace. He is sending a wrong signal to law enforcement, for the people who work for the government, that the President looks like he is not committed enough.

Adebayo argued that President Tinubu's failure to attend sends a detrimental message. "President Tinubu not showing up today, he is showing that he is not committed to peace. He is sending a wrong signal to law enforcement, for the people who work for the government, that the President looks like he is not committed enough," Adebayo stated during an interview on Channels Television's Politics Today.

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So, he needs to correct that by making a clear statement explaining why he is absent and making sure that he makes a statement committing himself to the peace process.

The SDP candidate called for President Tinubu to provide a public explanation for his absence and to unequivocally reaffirm his dedication to the peace process. Adebayo stressed the importance of the President's participation in bolstering confidence in Nigeria's democratic institutions, stating, "There is no issue of state grandeur than the President showing that democracy is important. There is no more national security than the continuity of the state."

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There is no issue of state grandeur than the President showing that democracy is important. There is no more national security than the continuity of the state.

Further underscoring his point, Adebayo recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari attended the peace accord signing four years prior, despite not being a candidate in that election. Adebayo also questioned the decision to have the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, represent the President, deeming it an "insult to the process" and suggesting the Vice President should have attended instead. He concluded by stating, "I see that President Tinubu has been missing in action."

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Four years ago he [Tinubu] was around, and President Buhari, who was not even contesting, was around. It is good for you as a leader that you believe in a peace process.