Social Democratic Party presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo has launched another blistering attack on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, questioning the president’s visibility, health and performance in office ahead of the 2027 election.
Adebayo alleged that Tinubu had spent much of his time in office either receiving medical treatment in Europe, seeking financial assistance or avoiding investigators.
The SDP candidate made the remarks while discussing the 2027 presidential election, according to reports and a video of his comments circulated online.
He was quoted as saying that in recent years Tinubu had been “hiding in a hospital in Europe, begging for money somewhere or hiding from investigators.”
The claims are political allegations by Adebayo and have not been independently established.
A Sharp Challenge to Tinubu
Adebayo’s comments represent one of the more aggressive attacks on the president from a rival presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 election.
The SDP candidate has consistently criticised the Tinubu administration’s economic record and questioned the government’s claims about the impact of its reforms.
His latest remarks move beyond economic policy into a direct challenge to the president’s leadership and public visibility.
Tinubu has maintained a busy schedule of domestic and international engagements since assuming office in May 2023, while the presidency has repeatedly defended his economic and political record.
The president’s supporters have argued that his administration inherited deep structural economic problems and has taken difficult decisions to address them.
Health Questions in Political Debate
Questions about the health and whereabouts of Nigerian presidents have historically featured prominently in political discourse.
However, claims about a public official’s medical condition require particular care because unverified allegations can easily become political misinformation.
Adebayo’s comments should therefore be understood as an opposition politician’s criticism rather than confirmation that Tinubu has been hiding from public duties or investigators.
There is no basis in the material reviewed for presenting the allegations as established facts.
Adebayo’s 2027 Campaign
Adebayo is positioning himself as an alternative to both the governing APC and the larger opposition political formations preparing for 2027.
The SDP candidate has promoted his “Farewell to Poverty and Insecurity” policy platform, arguing that Nigeria can be transformed within a single presidential term.
His campaign has sought to place economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and governance at the centre of the 2027 debate.
The latest attack fits into that strategy by presenting the election as a referendum on the performance and leadership of the incumbent.
Tinubu’s camp, meanwhile, has increasingly emphasised the administration’s reforms, including fuel subsidy removal, changes to the foreign exchange regime and efforts to attract investment.
The disagreement between the two sides is likely to intensify as the election draws closer.
The 2027 Campaign Takes Shape
The latest exchange highlights how personal and policy-focused the next presidential campaign is likely to become.
Opposition candidates will seek to portray Tinubu’s administration as having failed to deliver sufficient improvements in living standards, while the APC will argue that the president’s reforms require time to produce their full effect.
Adebayo’s remarks add another voice to the opposition’s criticism.
But the allegations concerning Tinubu’s health, alleged attempts to avoid investigators and supposed financial requests remain unproven claims.
Ultimately, voters will judge the competing records and promises when the election arrives.
For now, Adebayo’s latest comments add further heat to an already increasingly combative 2027 political environment.