Prince Adewole Adebayo, Chief and 2023 presidential candidate of Nigeria’s Social Democratic Party (SDP), has urged political leaders to encourage greater voter participation ahead of the 2027 general election.
He made the call during an Iftar with politicians at his Abuja residence, highlighting the relevance of Ramadan’s values to leadership.
The SDP 2023 Presidential Candidate noted that democratic legitimacy depends largely on citizens’ active involvement in elections.
Prince Adebayo has called on policymakers and stakeholders to implement policies that strengthen citizens’ participation and democratic processes.
He said Nigeria’s religious and cultural diversity remained a strength, urging leaders to embrace humility, justice, and accountability as guiding principles for governance.
According to him, democracy ultimately belongs to the Nigerian people, and electoral processes must reflect their collective will through fairness, transparency, and public confidence.
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He also urged political actors to reduce tensions and promote peaceful, credible elections, stressing that leadership is a temporary responsibility entrusted to individuals for service.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, also called for policy adjustments in Nigeria’s electoral framework to strengthen democratic participation.
Dantalle expressed concern that certain electoral provisions could limit citizens’ participation in democratic processes.
According to him, indirect party primaries and mandatory use of the National Identification processes could restrict participation.
Dantalle urged political actors to respect constitutional provisions and avoid a “win-at-all-costs” mentality in elections.
He also called on stakeholders to rely on the judiciary in resolving electoral disputes in line with due process.
The IPAC chairman urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure strict compliance with electoral rules to meet public expectations.
He added that Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999 should continue evolving toward greater accountability and public confidence.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of SDP, Professor Sadiq Gombe, emphasised the importance of unity, religious tolerance, and constructive political engagement.