The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has criticised President Bola Tinubu for failing to attend the signing of the National Peace Accord ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adebayo said the President’s absence from Tuesday’s ceremony in Abuja sent the wrong signal to political actors, law enforcement agencies and government officials about his commitment to the peace process.
He made the comments during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday.
“President Tinubu not showing up today, he is showing that he is not committed to peace. He is sending a wrong signal to law enforcement, for the people who work for the government, that the President looks like he is not committed enough,” Adebayo said.
The SDP’s flagbearer urged the President to explain his absence and publicly reaffirm his commitment to ensuring a peaceful electoral process.
“So, he needs to correct that by making a clear statement explaining why he is absent and making sure that he makes a statement committing himself to the peace process.
“There is no issue of state grandeur than the President showing that democracy is important. There is no more national security than the continuity of the state. The state has to exist, and a free, fair and credible election is important for establishing civil government,” he added.
The SDP candidate recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari attended the signing of the accord four years ago, despite not being a candidate in the election at the time.
“Four years ago he [Tinubu] was around, and President Buhari, who was not even contesting, was around. It is good for you as a leader that you believe in a peace process,” Adebayo said.
Asked about the President’s representation at Tuesday’s event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Adebayo dismissed the arrangement as inadequate.
“Oh please, this is an insult to the process. The SGF is not involved in the election. You have your Vice President who could come.
