The leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, has issued a clarion call for Nigerians to vote out the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections. He described the current state of the nation as dire and in need of urgent political change.
Speaking at the Social Democratic Party (SDP) national convention and presidential primaries held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi State, Olaitan highlighted the severe challenges confronting the country. He noted that insecurity has reached alarming levels, with banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, and communal conflicts making life unbearable for citizens.
“Our people cannot sleep with both eyes shut because of the ceaseless wave of insecurity,” Olaitan stated. “Farmlands have become killing fields, and hope has turned into fear.”
The Afenifere leader also condemned the economic situation, pointing to soaring prices of essential goods, widespread unemployment among youths, and the daily struggles of farmers and traders. “The economy has sunk to its lowest point. Basic commodities are out of reach for ordinary families,” he added.
Olaitan accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) government of undermining democracy by fracturing opposition parties and stifling dissent. “The APC government is nervous about constructive criticism and has been breaking any identifiable opposition into factions, eroding the multi-party system,” he charged.
He emphasized that the suffering in Nigeria is not an act of God but a direct consequence of poor policy decisions and neoliberal economic strategies that prioritize market forces and elite comfort over the welfare of the masses. “The hardship is man-made. It stems from wrong choices,” Olaitan asserted.
Calling on Nigerians to see the 2027 election as a choice between the ruling party and the people, Olaitan urged voters to rally behind the SDP, which he described as the party best equipped to deliver social justice, economic recovery, and democratic inclusion. “The SDP reflects the values of equity and concern for the masses. It is not just another party; it is the vehicle for genuine change,” he concluded.