Prince Adewole Adebayo, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in the 2023 presidential election, has offered a stark assessment of President Bola Tinubu, branding him a political maverick while simultaneously declaring his complete failure in governance. Adebayo asserted that while President Tinubu could easily achieve an A1 in politics, his performance in governance falls significantly short. In an interview with journalists, Adebayo urged President Tinubu to leverage his political acumen to deliver substantive legacies through good governance.

Adebayo explained that Tinubu's A1 in politics signifies his profound understanding of the political class – knowing their motivations, how to recruit, retrench, retire, and re-engage them. However, he lamented that this political skill does not extend to understanding the fundamental needs of the Nigerian populace, which include basic services, economic stability, and security. Adebayo critically stated that if President Tinubu cannot ensure the safety of lives in regions like Benue and Plateau, then his governance has undeniably failed.

According to Adebayo, President Tinubu should have recognized that the era of politics concluded the moment he ascended to the Presidency. He stressed the imperative for Tinubu to have transitioned into providing effective governance and adeptly managing Nigeria's inherent diversity. Furthermore, Adebayo accused the President of possessing a poor understanding of economic management, humorously noting that "the only skill he has in the management of the economy is the economisation of truth," which he believes characterizes their approach instead of genuine economic stewardship.

In contrast, Adebayo outlined the SDP's distinct approach, emphasizing a commitment to centering all political efforts on the welfare of the people. He believes that focusing on addressing issues such as hunger, health, housing, and education would lead to fewer controversies and more direct benefits for citizens.

Adebayo also strongly criticized politicians who defect from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), categorizing them as mere instruments used by the government to demoralize the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections. He distinguished between those who are "compulsorily retired" into opposition due to circumstance and those who genuinely choose to be in opposition. He argued that truly committed opposition figures, who are driven by the articulated interests of the Nigerian people and disagree fundamentally with the ruling party, would never defect unless the core problems like poverty, insecurity, and corruption are eradicated. Adebayo concluded that many defectors are simply "waiting at the bus stop of opposition until the next bus comes and then they hop along," often being primed by the ruling party for dramatic displays to undermine the opposition's morale.