Social Democratic Party, SDP, presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, has declared that No one is better off under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, arguing that worsening economic hardship, insecurity and declining living conditions have left many Nigerians struggling despite repeated government assurances about ongoing reforms.
Adebayo made the remarks while assessing the performance of the Tinubu administration as political conversations ahead of the 2027 general election continue to gather momentum. The SDP flag bearer has remained one of the opposition voices criticising the government’s economic and governance policies, particularly on issues relating to inflation, unemployment, insecurity and the rising cost of living.
His latest comments came amid growing public debate over the impact of reforms introduced since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, including fuel subsidy removal, exchange-rate adjustments and fiscal restructuring measures. While the Federal Government maintains that the reforms are necessary for long-term economic recovery, critics argue that the immediate effects have placed severe pressure on households and businesses.
Speaking on the state of the nation, Adebayo insisted that No one is better off under the current administration when measured against key indicators affecting ordinary citizens.
According to him, Nigerians are facing increasing economic difficulties reflected in rising food prices, declining purchasing power and growing hardship across different sectors of society. He argued that government policies should ultimately be judged by their impact on citizens rather than official statistics or policy announcements.
Adebayo maintained that despite repeated promises of economic improvement, many Nigerians continue to struggle with daily expenses, business costs and reduced household incomes. The SDP presidential candidate said governance should focus on improving the welfare of citizens and creating conditions that support employment, productivity and economic growth.
Expanding on his criticism, Adebayo questioned the effectiveness of policies that, according to him, have not translated into visible improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
He argued that economic reforms must produce measurable benefits for citizens through job creation, stronger industrial activity, improved public services and increased economic opportunities. According to him, No one is better off when inflation continues to erode incomes and families find it increasingly difficult to meet basic needs.
He also stressed that economic growth should not be assessed solely through government revenue figures or macroeconomic indicators but through tangible improvements in living standards. The SDP leader maintained that governance must focus on reducing poverty and creating sustainable opportunities rather than relying on policies that place additional pressure on struggling citizens.
Beyond economic issues, Adebayo linked national development challenges to insecurity across different parts of the country. He argued that economic progress cannot be sustained where communities face security threats that affect farming, business activities and investment. According to him, No one is better off in an environment where insecurity continues to undermine productivity and limit opportunities for economic growth.
The SDP candidate called for stronger institutional reforms and improved governance structures capable of addressing both economic and security challenges simultaneously. He maintained that effective leadership requires practical solutions that directly improve the quality of life of citizens.
The remarks are expected to contribute to broader political debates as opposition parties prepare for future electoral contests. Economic hardship, inflation and insecurity have remained central issues in public discussions and are likely to feature prominently in political campaigns ahead of the next general election.
Analysts note that opposition figures are increasingly focusing on citizens’ welfare and living conditions as benchmarks for evaluating government performance. Adebayo’s position that No one is better off under the current administration reflects a wider effort by opposition leaders to challenge the government’s record and present alternative policy directions.
