(Prince Adewole Adebayo. Photo Credit: Punch News)
Adewole Adebayo, the Social Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, has attributed Nigeria’s persistent economic and security issues on corruption, claiming that without openness, responsibility, and honesty in public service, the nation will find it difficult to overcome poverty and insecurity.
At the Arewa Awareness Summit on Unity Against Insecurity on Wednesday in Kaduna State, Adebayo made this statement and called on political leaders to adopt responsible governance and workable solutions to the nation’s security and socioeconomic problems.
His media assistant, Ade Alabi, provided journalists with a statement outlining his stance.
He claims that if Nigeria’s leaders show the political will to lead successfully, the country’s problems are not insurmountable.
“I have found that there is no issue in Nigeria that good governance and leadership will not resolve in three years,” he declared.
“Corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to Nigeria’s progress. Transparency, accountability, and integrity in public service are the cornerstones of any successful policy or institutional reform.
Additionally, he insisted that the region’s expanding population should be seen as an opportunity rather than a burden, claiming that Northern Nigeria had the natural and people resources necessary to spur economic growth.
“The North possesses the people, land, and resources necessary for prosperity. Adebayo stated, “What is required is leadership that can harness these enormous potentials for the benefit of the people.”
He called on stakeholders and leaders to stop talking about the reasons for insecurity and instead concentrate on putting workable, long-term solutions in place.
Adebayo also urged more funding for the agricultural sector, seeing it as a vital source of jobs, food security, and wealth generation in Northern Nigeria.
Speaking about education, the SDP candidate warned that without increased funding for high-quality education, sustainable growth would continue to be challenging and voiced concern over the large number of youngsters in the North who are not in school.
“As long as millions of children do not attend school, we cannot have a thriving nation. “National development, productivity, and security all stem from education,” he stated.
The Arewa Awareness Summit brought together traditional rulers, academics, political leaders, professionals and other stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for promoting unity and tackling insecurity across Northern Nigeria.