The Social Democratic Party (SDP) 2023 presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has called for policies that strengthen citizens’ participation in Nigeria’s democratic process and governance.
He made the call at an Iftar (breaking of Ramadan fast) hosted in Abuja on Thursday night by his wife, Lillian Adebayo, with politicians and media practitioners reflecting on Ramadan’s values and their relevance to leadership and national unity.
According to him, Nigeria’s religious and cultural diversity remained a strength, thus the importance for Nigerian leaders to embrace humility, justice and accountability as guiding principles for governance.
He also urged political leaders to encourage greater voter participation, noting that democratic legitimacy depends largely on citizens’ active involvement in elections.
He noted that democracy ultimately belongs to the Nigerian people, and electoral processes must reflect their collective will through fairness, transparency and public confidence.
“It is important for political actors to reduce tensions and promote peaceful, credible elections. Leadership is a temporary responsibility entrusted to individuals for service,” Adebayo said.
He also said that Nigeria’s democratic journey since 1999 should continue evolving toward greater accountability and public confidence.
The national chairman of SDP, Prof. Sadiq Umar Gombe, stressed the importance of unity, religious tolerance and constructive political engagement.
Gombe said the gathering, attended by political leaders, civil society and media practitioners, reflected the spirit of unity and compassion associated with Ramadan.
He noted that dialogue and cooperation among political actors were essential for strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and national development.
He said gatherings such as the Ramadan Iftar provide opportunities for political stakeholders to reflect on shared national values and strengthen cooperation across party lines.
Prof. Gombe noted that while political actors were present at the event, the gathering was primarily a social and religious engagement aimed at promoting dialogue and mutual understanding.
The SDP boss also commended the media, describing it as the “fourth estate of the realm,” and acknowledged its role in informing citizens and promoting democratic accountability.
The national chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, called for policy adjustments in Nigeria’s electoral framework to strengthen democratic participation.
He expressed concern that certain electoral provisions could limit citizens’ participation in democratic processes. According to him, indirect party primaries and mandatory use of the National Identification Number in political processes could restrict participation.
The IPAC chairman urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure strict compliance with electoral rules to meet public expectations.
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