By SUNTV Global Channel | February 2, 2026
Former Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has described human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore as one of the bravest pro-democracy figures to emerge from Nigeria’s struggle against military rule, saying he was prepared to sacrifice his life for the restoration of the June 12 mandate.
Adebayo made the remarks on Sunday night at a high-level political dinner in Yola, Adamawa State, where key political actors gathered amid growing consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Recalling events following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest poll won by the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, Adebayo said Sowore stood firmly at the frontlines of resistance against the military junta.
According to him, Sowore—then in his early twenties—was deeply involved in street protests and underground resistance campaigns, demanding the recognition of Abiola’s mandate despite arrests, intimidation, and threats to his life.
“I met a daring Sowore who was ready to lay down his life, demanding the recognition of Abiola, having been democratically elected. He did that as a non-member of the SDP,” Adebayo said.
The former SDP flagbearer praised Sowore’s courage and ideological consistency at a time when many Nigerians, he noted, chose silence in the face of military repression.
Criticism of Tinubu Administration
Adebayo also used the occasion to criticise the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the federal government as lacking clear direction and identity.
He accused the government of failing to present Nigerians with a coherent governance vision, arguing that worsening economic hardship and social instability reflect an absence of purposeful leadership.
Political Signals Ahead of 2027
The Yola meeting attracted prominent figures, including SDP National Chairman Shehu Musa Gabam, Adamawa governorship aspirant Wafarniyi Theman, and former Minister of Sports Solomon Dalung, signalling intensifying political realignments ahead of the next election cycle.
Dalung, who served under the late President Muhammadu Buhari, warned northern minority communities against what he described as elite manipulation ahead of the 2027 polls.
He alleged that several political figures who once strongly opposed the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket had since softened their stance after securing appointments and political patronage.
Dalung urged voters to prioritise candidates with clear development plans and ideological consistency, warning that recycled political power blocs pose a continuing threat to inclusive governance.
Adamawa Governorship Vision
Also speaking at the event, Adamawa governorship hopeful Wafarniyi Theman reaffirmed his commitment to governing in line with the SDP’s ideological foundations if elected.
He said the party’s philosophy is anchored on social justice, rule of law, people-centred development, and transparent leadership, stressing that Adamawa needs accountability-driven governance rather than personality cults or patronage politics.
Theman pledged that an SDP-led administration under his leadership would prioritise public welfare, institutional reforms, and equitable distribution of resources across the state.
According to him, ideology-based governance—not political convenience—remains the only sustainable path to rebuilding public trust and delivering measurable progress to citizens long underserved by entrenched political interests.
