Prince Adewole Adebayo, national leader and presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s governance approach, stating that the president wields power without effectively translating it into governance.

In a recent interview addressing national issues, Adebayo remarked, “He is in power, not in government,” accusing Tinubu of prioritising the consolidation of authority over implementing policies that address Nigeria’s pressing challenges.

While acknowledging some progress in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the Ministry of Interior, Adebayo argued that these isolated efforts do not represent broader success. “In FCT, you see a sign they want to govern. The Minister there, and the one in Interior, are making serious attempts. Outside that, I’m sorry, there’s no sign they want to govern,” he said.

Reacting to Tinubu’s recent media chat, Adebayo likened the public’s excitement to hearing a previously mute child speak. He commended the president for addressing the nation but criticised the irregularity of such engagements and their lack of substance.

“The presidential media chat should be routine,” he noted, urging journalists to hold the president accountable instead of treating such events as ceremonial. “If what he said on that day represents months of governance, I’m not impressed. The president must convince people he understands his actions and their implications,” Adebayo added.

Despite his criticism of Tinubu’s administration, Adebayo encouraged Nigerians to remain hopeful, describing hope as a personal investment that transcends any government.

“Even during the civil war, when there was no food or security, people remained hopeful. Governance should not define hope; it’s what keeps us going as a nation,” he said.

He further advised Nigerians not to see Tinubu’s administration as their only alternative, emphasising that leadership in the country extends beyond one individual or government. “Your hope is not invested in one government or one individual. The country is continuous, and Nigerians have good reasons to be hopeful,” Adebayo concluded.