Nigeria will only work when built from the grassroots-Adebayo

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has said Nigeria can only function effectively when it is built from the grassroots through strong, secure and productive communities.

Adebayo made the remark in Numan, Adamawa State, during a ceremony organised in his honour following the conferment of a traditional title on him by the Bachama Kingdom.

Addressing traditional rulers, community leaders and residents, he described the Bachama nation as an integral part of Nigeria, stressing that the destiny of the community is closely tied to that of the country.

He referred to Numan and its environs as a “paradise entrusted to the people,” urging citizens to take responsibility for cultivating their land, managing resources justly, and raising families in safety and dignity.

Adebayo criticised what he termed the over-centralisation of governance, arguing that attempts to build Nigeria from Lagos and later Abuja have not delivered the desired results.

He maintained that development must enable families to farm, rear livestock peacefully, educate their children, and contribute meaningfully to the economy within their local communities.

Drawing comparisons with countries such as the United States, Germany and Russia, Adebayo said strong nations are built by citizens who thrive in their towns and villages with access to electricity, water, security and economic opportunities.

He called for a Nigeria where citizens are no longer compelled to leave their ancestral homes in search of survival in major cities.