Adewole Adebayo Wants to Debate Tinubu, Because Apparently 2027 Is Already Looking for Content

Adewole Adebayo has thrown a presidential debate challenge at Bola Tinubu, and honestly, Nigerians should be interested. The SDP presidential candidate unveiled his 2027–2031 manifesto, Farewell to Poverty and Insecurity, in Abuja and basically told the President: “Come out and defend your work.” He wants a public debate where Nigerians can hear both sides explain what they have done, what they plan to do and, importantly, where all the money has gone.

Now, you know Nigeria. The moment somebody says “debate,” people immediately start imagining presidential candidates sitting under studio lights while Nigerians watch with the seriousness of people waiting for the Champions League final. But this one could actually be useful. Adebayo is promising some rather ambitious things: four functional public refineries, 36 modular refineries, electricity generation of up to 75,000 megawatts, and petrol at about ₦200 per litre under his proposed economic framework. He has also promised that insecurity can be defeated within four years.

And this is where Nigerians need to pay attention.

Because campaign season has a way of turning politicians into miracle workers. Suddenly, electricity will be everywhere, petrol will be cheaper, insecurity will disappear and everybody's salary will somehow stretch until the end of the month. The real question is not whether a politician can make a beautiful promise. Nigerians have enough beautiful promises to wallpaper Abuja.

The question is: show us the mathematics.

If you say 75,000MW, explain where the generation comes from. If you say ₦200 petrol, explain the economics. If you say insecurity will end in four years, explain the strategy, the financing and how you intend to measure success. And if you challenge the incumbent to a debate, be prepared for somebody to ask you the same uncomfortable questions.

Adebayo has previously argued that Nigerian politics should move away from personality, ethnicity and political theatrics towards competing ideas.

Honestly, this is one election Nigerians should be allowed to interrogate properly.

No dancing. No rented crowds. No “my people, I am one of you.”

Just candidates, microphones, policies and questions.

Because after decades of campaign promises, Nigerians deserve something different.

If politicians want our votes, perhaps they should first survive our questions.