The 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has urged Nigerian politicians to rebuild public trust in leadership through genuine reforms. Speaking at a reunion of former and current members of the House of Representatives in Abuja on Thursday, Adebayo emphasized the urgent need to rehabilitate the nation’s political class.

Addressing lawmakers spanning from 1979 to the present, Adebayo noted that Nigerians often view politicians as unprincipled, contributing to the country’s negative image internationally. “Let us be honest with ourselves, where are we today? How far have we travelled? We should be honest and agree that we are nowhere near where we are supposed to be,” he remarked.

The event, convened by Rt. Honourable Mulikat Akande Adeola, brought together political leaders to discuss Nigeria’s governance challenges. Adebayo encouraged attendees to actively challenge injustice and maladministration, stressing the importance of leadership that serves the people.

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He expressed concern over the disconnect between lawmakers and their constituents, highlighting the lost trust in members of the House of Representatives, whom he described as the most accessible federal lawmakers. Adebayo stated, “When you go somewhere and say, ‘I am a politician,’ people should be happy to talk to you, respect what you do, and trust what you represent. Unfortunately, today, the opposite is the reality.”

The former SDP candidate also called for strengthening Nigeria’s institutions, including the judiciary, civil service, and security agencies, to ensure the country’s prosperity. He argued that a political system seen as a “career business” rather than a platform for public service undermines national development.

Adeola, the event’s convener, hailed the reunion as a milestone and advocated for continued dialogue on pressing national issues. Former Speaker Yakubu Dogara also pledged that such gatherings would foster unity and focus on nation-building despite the nation’s economic struggles.