Tinubu Knows People Pay For Appointments, Akpabio Is His SSA – Adebayo

ABUJA, NIGERIA — Prince Adewole Adebayo, the Social Democratic Party’s presidential candidate in 2023 and 2027, has sharply criticised the current administration, accusing it of turning governance into a transactional enterprise.

Speaking on national issues, Adebayo claimed that President Bola Tinubu is aware of alleged payments made to principal staff for appointments and access but has shown little concern. He described the government as a “del credere” and “clearing and forwarding” administration, where influence is allegedly traded for cash.

The SDP chieftain said the Senate has lost its independence and described its leadership as compromised. According to him, the Senate President functions more like a ceremonial aide to the President, often deployed for public events and entertainment rather than legislative oversight.

“He goes around not on oversight but as an idle hand that the President calls whenever he is too busy taking care of himself,” Adebayo stated, adding that the upper chamber has been reduced to providing comedy and ceremonial support instead of checking executive actions.

Adebayo further alleged that the President maintains a list determining which senators return for another term, while lawmakers suffer from what he termed “parliamentary blindness,” preventing them from properly scrutinising bills they pass. He reserved even stronger criticism for the House of Representatives, saying its members merely mark attendance registers, with leadership allegedly distracted by personal matters.

The outspoken politician’s remarks come amid ongoing public debate over the performance of democratic institutions under the Tinubu administration, a recurring theme in Nigeria’s political landscape since the 2023 elections.

NaijaChoice News understands that such criticisms from opposition figures often highlight deeper concerns about separation of powers and accountability in the country’s governance structure.

In summary, Adebayo’s intervention underscores the persistent tension between the executive and legislature, raising fresh questions about institutional independence in Nigeria’s democracy.