Adewole Adebayo, the Social Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, has leveled serious accusations against Nigeria’s political elite, claiming they deliberately exploit bandits to secure electoral victories. Speaking on Vanguard’s ‘Politics Hub,’ he addressed the escalating banditry and terrorism plaguing the nation.
Adebayo asserted that if he were president, banditry would be eradicated swiftly. He emphasized that President Bola Tinubu could easily eliminate bandits by Christmas if he truly desired, but the administration’s entanglement with criminal elements prevents decisive action.
According to Adebayo, government officials rely on bandit leaders for electoral support and financial gains from illicit activities. They also use banditry to conceal other issues. He argued that if the president were to declare zero tolerance for bandits, the problem would vanish immediately.