The 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has commended activist Omoyele Sowore for his sincerity in championing justice causes but disagreed with his call for nationwide protests to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Speaking on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Adebayo described Sowore as a genuine activist whose passion for justice is unquestionable but cautioned that sincerity does not always equate to correctness.
“Omoyele Sowore is mostly and almost always genuine,” Adebayo said. “But being genuine doesn’t mean you’re correct. A man can sincerely point you in the wrong direction.”
Adebayo explained that while Sowore’s activism often springs from deep concern for justice and human rights, the complexities surrounding Kanu’s detention require legal and political solutions rather than street demonstrations.
“The situation demands careful legal and political handling,” he noted. “Nigeria’s institutions must act responsibly and within the law. Resorting to protests might worsen the situation or complicate ongoing judicial processes.”
The SDP chieftain said that issues like Kanu’s incarceration highlight the fragmented nature of Nigeria’s governance structure, where the political, judicial, and security arms of government operate in disjointed silos.
“There are different parts of the federal government — the political, the law enforcement, and the judiciary,” Adebayo explained. “Each must play its role responsibly. But in Nigeria, we often see conflict and confusion among these arms, which only worsens public distrust.”
He emphasized that the pursuit of justice for any citizen must not come at the expense of national stability, urging both activists and government officials to act with reason and restraint.
“Justice and peace are not enemies,” he said. “They are twins that must grow together if we want a democratic nation that truly works for all.”
Adebayo also used the platform to reflect on Nigeria’s democratic development, saying the nation is still in its formative stage of democracy and must prioritize rule of law over emotional activism.
“The Nigerian democracy hasn’t come yet. What we have is civil rule; we are working towards democracy,” he added. “We are taking baby steps, and we are falling from time to time.”
The SDP standard-bearer, who contested the 2023 presidential election alongside Sowore, urged young activists to combine passion with prudence and ensure that their methods strengthen, not weaken, democratic processes.
“Sowore’s heart is in the right place,” Adebayo concluded, “but we must remember that even good intentions must be guided by wis
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