Resign if you cannot secure Nigerians, SDP’s Adebayo says to Tinubu

By Adeola Badru

The candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation, urging the president to resign if he cannot protect the nation.

Adebayo spoke to journalists on Tuesday after a closed‑door meeting with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan.

He said the visit was intended to show solidarity with the people and government of Oyo State, which has recently faced security challenges.

According to Adebayo, the insecurity in Oyo reflects a wider national crisis, blaming the federal government for failing to uphold its constitutional duty to safeguard lives and property.

“The reason why we came here is to give solidarity to the people of Oyo State and the government of Oyo State, and to sympathise with the communities. What Oyo State is going through today is what many states are going through,” he said.

The SDP leader accused President Tinubu of failing in his role as Commander‑in‑Chief, noting that insecurity has spread to areas once considered relatively peaceful.

“And that’s because President Bola Tinubu has failed to do his job as Commander‑in‑Chief. If you cannot secure your state, which is the heart of Yorubaland, what is the use of being government at all?” he added.

Adebayo further alleged that security funds were being diverted toward political activities instead of addressing insecurity nationwide.

“The state government is a victim of the failure of the federal government. President Bola Tinubu is sitting on top of heavy security votes, which is used to destabilise political parties, instead of applying it for the armed forces to secure the country,” he alleged.

He warned that Nigeria’s security challenges should no longer be treated lightly, citing killings and attacks reported across the country.

“You cannot run an economy, you cannot provide jobs, yet you cannot secure lives. What is the use? Nigerian people need to understand that it’s no longer a joke,” he said.

Adebayo also called on the president to either confront criminal elements decisively or resign.

“I told President Tinubu sometime last year that you have to use your gun to kill the terrorists or use a pen to resign. If you can’t do it, quit the job. Other people will do it,” he stated.

He expressed concern over attacks on civilians and military personnel, describing the country’s security environment as deteriorating.

“That teacher who got beheaded, if he wanted to join the army, he would have joined the army. Now we are in a country where generals are being killed like chicken,” he said.

The SDP presidential candidate urged the president to prioritise governance and national security over politics, and to provide better welfare and operational support for the armed forces.

“Leave politics aside. Focus on your job as Commander‑in‑Chief. Nigerian armed forces are capable of defending not only Nigeria but the entire West Africa, if only they had a Commander‑in‑Chief who can lead them properly,” he added.

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