Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, has accused some Nigerian political leaders of benefiting from banditry and using criminal elements to influence election outcomes.

Speaking during an interview on Politics Hub, a programme aired by Vanguard, Adebayo expressed concern over the persistent insecurity across the country, particularly the activities of bandits and terrorists.

He argued that the government possesses the capacity to end banditry if there is sufficient political will to do so.

“If I were President today, there would be no bandits. If President Bola Tinubu decides that banditry must end before Christmas, it can be achieved,” Adebayo said.

According to him, insecurity has persisted because some public officials have become entangled in interests linked to criminal activities.

“The government can eliminate banditry without difficulty, but some officials have complicated the situation. They need bandit leaders to help them win elections, and some benefit financially from the insecurity,” he alleged.

Adebayo further claimed that decisive action from the highest levels of government could significantly reduce the threat posed by armed groups.

His comments come amid ongoing concerns over rising cases of banditry, terrorism, kidnappings and violent attacks in several parts of the country, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions.

Successive administrations have faced mounting pressure from citizens and security experts to strengthen efforts against criminal groups responsible for widespread killings, abductions and displacement of communities.

The Federal Government has consistently maintained that it remains committed to tackling insecurity through military operations, intelligence gathering and other security interventions.

Adebayo’s remarks add to the growing debate over the causes of insecurity and the effectiveness of government strategies aimed at restoring peace across the country.