Nigeria needs grassroots rebuild, not just Lagos, Abuja — Adebayo

2026-02-01 - 10:08

Adewole Adebayo, leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has said Nigeria’s progress depends on building strong, secure and productive communities from the grassroots. Adebayo made the remarks in Numan, Adamawa State, during a ceremony held in his honour after the Bachama kingdom conferred a traditional title on him. Addressing traditional rulers, community leaders and residents, he described the Bachama nation as an important part of Nigeria and said the future of the community was closely linked to the future of the country. “The development of this land is the development of Nigeria because Nigeria is not just an idea; it is the land and the people,” he said. He described Numan and its surrounding areas as a “paradise entrusted to the people,” urging Nigerians to take responsibility for cultivating the land, sharing resources fairly and raising families in safety and dignity. Adebayo expressed concern over what he described as excessive centralisation of governance, noting that past attempts to drive national development mainly from Lagos and later Abuja had delivered limited results. “The only time Nigeria will truly work is when we build it from the communities,” he said, adding that national strength should be measured by the safety of households, the quality of education and the ability of young people to grow without fear. He said development should enable families to farm, raise livestock peacefully, educate their children and contribute meaningfully to the economy from their local environments. Drawing comparisons with countries such as the United States, Germany and Russia, Adebayo noted that successful nations are shaped by citizens who thrive in their towns and villages with access to electricity, water, security and opportunities.