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Prince Adewole Adebayo, an international lawyer and the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 election, in this interview speaks on Nigeria’s rule of law, the ideological roots of the SDP, the leadership crisis confronting the nation, and the recurring failure of political actors to uphold justice and integrity in governance. He also reflects on corruption, the economy, and the moral decline he believes is at the heart of Nigeria’s woes.

You’ve often said that rule of law should not be treated as a political slogan. What exactly do you mean by that?

We are probably one of the few countries in the world that are still campaigning about corrup­tion. The fact that we need to be united around certain principles like fairness, justice, equity, and rule of law should not make them political programmes.

Rule of law cannot be mani­festo. Rule of law has to be basic, what everybody has to follow. It should not depend on who is president or what party is in pow­er. Once you say you believe in democracy, then you are bound by the rule of law, justice, and equality. These are not political promises; they are duties.

How do you describe the ideology of the Social Democratic Party and what makes it different?

The SDP is a continuation of the same vision that produced Nigeria’s best political thinkers. We call it the “little-to-the-left” principle, meaning we lean to­ward social justice and welfare.

Everything you find in Chap­ter Two of the Constitution; the Fundamental Objectives and Di­rective Principles of State Policy is what you find in the SDP. We believe government must be re­sponsible for the welfare of the people, the provision of educa­tion, health, and housing, and the protection of rights.

Our founding fathers believed that government must be the pro­tector of the weak. That is what we stand for not propaganda or self-enrichment, but justice and equal opportunity.

What inspired the formation of the SDP and its guiding political values?

It goes back to the 1979 Consti­tution. We had a beautifully writ­ten Constitution where Chief F. R. A. Williams was chairman of the drafting committee, and very sound constitutional law­yers joined him. That Constitu­tion reflected the moral vision of leaders like Awolowo and Aziki­we, that the purpose of politics is to improve human welfare. The SDP was built to advance those ideas, to make sure government policies align with fairness and social justice. When we ignore those values, politics becomes an enterprise of greed. That is why we are where we are today.

Looking at Nigeria’s democracy today, how would you describe its journey since independence?

When the First Republic be­gan, it was built on federal prin­ciples and moral discipline. The political class then, Awolowo, Azikiwe, Ahmadu Bello under­stood the value of law and order.

In the Second Republic, we had the famous two-third (2/3) case. The Supreme Court decid­ed who truly won the presidential election between Awolowo and Shagari. That shows that even at that time, the judiciary was central to democracy. But over the years, we have politicised the courts, weakened our insti­tutions, and elevated self-interest above national interest. Democ­racy has become an opportunity for sharing spoils instead of serv­ing people.

How do you view the state of lead­ership and governance in Nigeria today?

Our biggest problem is moral collapse. We know what is right but refuse to do it. We are not short of laws; we are short of discipline. Every time we drift into crisis, it is because people in leadership positions choose convenience over conscience. Un­til we restore moral leadership , guided by truth and fairness, Ni­geria will keep moving in circles. Leadership is not about manag­ing poverty; it is about eliminat­ing the causes of poverty. It is not about fighting opponents; it is about fighting injustice.

What are your thoughts on corrup­tion and the way it’s being fought by successive governments?

Every decent person knows that corruption is bad. There is no religion or philosophy that supports it. So, when people campaign that they will fight cor­ruption, I ask: who among them is campaigning for corruption? Nobody.

The problem is not in saying corruption is bad; it is in building a system that makes it impossible to thrive. You don’t need to cam­paign about corruption if your institutions are functional. The moment the rule of law is strong, corruption automatically reduc­es.

We must return to the basics fairness, transparency, and re­spect for due process. Without that, anti-corruption campaigns are just slogans.

You once said that Nigeria’s current problems began after the civil war. Can you explain what you meant?

The civil war was a very brutal one. Many people were killed and properties were destroyed. There were victims of unlawful killing, rape, robbery, and maltreatment, yet there was no compensation, no inquiry, and no justice.

The phrase “no victor, no vanquished” sounded noble, but in reality, it meant no account­ability. That was the beginning of impunity in Nigeria. Once people saw that crimes could be committed on a national scale without consequence, lawless­ness became normal. From that point, every form of corruption and injustice found justification in the idea that nothing ever hap­pens to those who offend the law.

What is your assessment of Nige­ria’s economy and the way it is being managed?

The economy is being misman­aged because there is no account­ability. At one point, 80 percent of our crude oil was being stolen. The same thing happens in solid minerals — over-invoicing, un­der-declaration, and waste.

When government agencies operate outside the law, the economy becomes a playground for thieves. Economic crimes are not just moral issues; they are le­gal violations. If we enforce our existing laws faithfully, most of these leakages will disappear.

Some critics say ideology no longer wins elections in Nigeria. What do you say to that?

I disagree. Ideology is what gives politics meaning. Without ideology, you have no compass. When people say ideology does not win elections, I tell them that lack of ideology is what has kept Nigeria stagnant. The SDP be­lieves in building from the foun­dation. We are not trying to win power for its own sake; we are trying to make power meaning­ful again. If you win an election and lose your soul, you have lost everything.

What kind of reforms would you prioritise if you had the opportunity to govern?

First, we must strengthen the independence of the judiciary. Judges must not owe their ap­pointments or welfare to poli­ticians. Second, we must make Chapter Two of the Constitution justiciable. The directives on edu­cation, health, and social welfare should not be treated as mere ad­vice — they should be enforceable rights. Third, we must rebuild our institutions so that no one is above the law. Once the law applies to everyone, every other sector will work as it should.

What message do you have for Nigerians who still believe in change despite the challenges?

My message is simple: this country can still be great. But we must stop pretending that prog­ress will come without sacrifice. We must choose leaders who re­spect the law, who tell the truth, and who understand that power is a trust, not a privilege. If we re­turn to the Constitution, to those principles of justice and equity that our founders wrote down, Ni­geria will rise again. It may take time, but it is possible because the foundation is still there.