By Our Correspondent

National News – Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Adewale Adebayo, has declared that he is “anointed by God” to provide strong opposition to President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.

Adebayo made the statement on Saturday during his acceptance speech after emerging as the SDP presidential candidate at the party’s primary election held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium.

The SDP candidate emerged unopposed as the only aspirant who purchased the party’s presidential nomination form.

Addressing party delegates and supporters, Adebayo said Nigerians were battling rising hardship, unemployment, insecurity, poverty and poor governance, stressing that the country urgently needed a new direction.

He questioned why many graduates remained unemployed years after leaving universities and polytechnics, while families continued to struggle with hunger and poor healthcare services.

According to him, the growing economic challenges facing Nigerians demand credible leadership and stronger democratic competition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Adebayo also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of weakening internal democracy and attempting to suppress opposition parties before the polls.

He claimed that political pressure was being mounted on opposition figures and institutions to reduce political competition across the country.

The former presidential candidate, however, praised Bala Mohammed for allowing the SDP convention to hold peacefully despite alleged political pressure.

He vowed that the SDP would contest and win the 2027 presidential election, promising people-focused leadership, improved governance, accountability and poverty reduction if elected into office.

Adebayo further stated that his political struggle was not against individuals but against corruption, injustice, autocracy and poor leadership.

He urged Nigerians to defend multiparty democracy and support opposition voices in the country.