The Social Democratic Party presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has pledged to take decisive action against terrorism, insecurity and illegal mining if elected president in the 2027 general elections.
Adebayo made the commitment during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, saying his administration would focus on reclaiming territories controlled by terrorists and criminal groups while dismantling the economic networks that sustain insecurity.
He argued that the areas affected by terrorism and other forms of criminality were largely identifiable and that government had sufficient information about where such groups operate.
According to Adebayo, the response to insecurity should go beyond military operations after attacks have occurred. He said the government should identify and disrupt the financial, logistical and organisational structures that enable criminal groups to operate.
The SDP candidate has repeatedly made security a central part of his 2027 campaign. In August, he called for a restructuring of Nigeria’s security architecture, with greater emphasis on intelligence gathering, community responsiveness and crime prevention.
Adebayo also linked insecurity to illegal mining, arguing that criminal networks involved in mineral exploitation can generate resources that sustain violence. He has called for stronger regulation of the mining sector rather than allowing mineral resources to remain outside formal economic structures.
He said his proposed approach would involve bringing mining activities into the formal economy, strengthening regulation and ensuring that mineral resources contribute to employment, government revenue and broader economic development.
The candidate has also criticised what he describes as weak governance and inadequate accountability as factors contributing to Nigeria’s security challenges. He has argued that security spending must produce measurable improvements in the safety of citizens rather than simply increase expenditure.
On terrorism, Adebayo said an effective government must be capable of restoring state authority in areas where criminal groups exercise control. He also stressed the importance of addressing the economic conditions and institutional weaknesses that allow insecurity to persist.
His position forms part of the SDP’s broader 2027 policy platform, which places security, employment, productivity, electricity and institutional reform among its central priorities. Adebayo has said his proposed government would measure performance by tangible improvements in citizens’ welfare rather than by government announcements or project commissioning.
The presidential candidate’s security proposals come as Nigeria continues to contend with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of organised criminal activity across several regions.
Illegal mining has also remained a major concern for the government because of its environmental, economic and security implications, particularly in mineral producing areas where informal mining networks operate outside regulatory oversight.
For Nigeria, addressing the intersection between insecurity and illicit economic activity will require coordination among security agencies, mining regulators, state governments and local communities. Stronger enforcement will also need to be accompanied by measures that create legitimate economic opportunities and improve oversight of the country’s natural resources.
Adebayo said that, if elected, his administration would pursue a more direct approach to dismantling the structures sustaining terrorism and illegal mining as part of its broader effort to improve national security and economic productivity.
Leave a comment