God Is Teaching Nigerians Lesson For Electing Tinubu – Adebayo

The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 general election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, on Saturday described the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as “a painful lesson from God” rather than a divine blessing for Nigerians.

Naija News reports that Adebayo spoke in Kano at a Ramadan Iftar organised by the AAFAQ Foundation, where he urged citizens to reflect deeply on the state of the nation and embrace justice over division.

Recalling his campaign visit to Kano four years ago, the former SDP flag bearer said he foresaw that the country was heading toward a period of hard lessons.

“Four years ago, I was in the city of Kano campaigning for the president of Nigeria. And I could see that God wanted to teach us a lesson in Nigeria. And until we learn that lesson, there is nothing the world can do. Almighty Allah does not make mistakes,” he said.

He cautioned Nigerians against interpreting Tinubu’s presidency as a mark of divine favour, insisting it should instead serve as a wake-up call for national rebirth.

According to him, justice remains the cornerstone of any prosperous nation, regardless of its natural endowments.

“It is better to live in a country that is a desert with no water, no oil, no mineral, but that has justice, than to live in a land of plenty with injustice,” Adebayo declared.

Knock On Muslim-Muslim Ticket

Adebayo also took a swipe at the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket that featured prominently in the 2023 elections, saying he had warned Nigerians about its implications.

“When I came to Kano, people were smiling when they were mentioning Muslim–Muslim tickets. I said, don’t worry. Let the election finish. Time will come that if they were looking for two Muslims, they would not even get one,” he said.

His comment drew reactions from the audience, as he maintained that competence, justice and unity should outweigh religious or ethnic calculations in leadership selection.

Naija News reports that the SDP chieftain did not limit his remarks to domestic issues. He condemned ongoing global conflicts, particularly tensions between Israel and Iran, warning against attacks on innocent civilians during the holy month of Ramadan.

“This is not a time in which some people can gather in a place and decide that they need to raise fire and bring stone for people who are in their country just observing the holy month,” he said.

Adebayo urged Nigerian leaders to speak boldly against injustice, both within the country and on the global stage.

The National Coordinator of AAFAQ Foundation, Dr Abdulmutallib Ahmad Muhammad, said the group invited Adebayo because of shared convictions on credible leadership and political reform.

According to him, the foundation, comprising Islamic clerics, is committed to reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape by promoting leaders of integrity.

He added that members of the group had already been encouraged to join the SDP as part of efforts to strengthen what he described as a credible alternative platform.

Earlier in the day, Adebayo paid a condolence visit to former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, over the death of his elder brother, Dahiru Shekarau.

Describing the former governor as “a true senior brother and friend of the SDP,” Adebayo said Shekarau’s patriotism and godliness had continued to inspire him.

In his response, Shekarau expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as a reflection of genuine brotherhood beyond partisan lines.

“This is exactly the kind of culture we want to propagate in Nigeria. It is not about political party, it is about our relationship and our common vision to serve humanity,” he said.