ADC Slams Tinubu Over Economic Hardship Claims

The African Democratic Congress has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over remarks made during his acceptance speech after emerging as the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party accused the president of downplaying the economic hardship facing Nigerians while attacking opposition parties.

The ADC said it was “both ironic and tragic” for the president to describe opposition leaders as lacking vision at a time when millions of Nigerians were struggling with rising inflation, food insecurity, and worsening living conditions.

The party argued that the current administration had presided over what it described as one of the most difficult economic periods in Nigeria’s democratic history, insisting that citizens were experiencing unprecedented hardship.

It claimed that millions of households had been forced to reduce meals, while businesses were closing due to mounting economic pressure across the country.

The statement also alleged that insecurity had worsened under the current administration, making it difficult for farmers to access their farmlands in several regions.

According to the ADC, the opposition cannot be blamed for economic challenges such as inflation, currency depreciation, and rising poverty levels, which it attributed to government policies.

The party further accused the ruling APC of attempting to “condition Nigerians” ahead of the 2027 elections, referencing claims surrounding the reported turnout figures from the party’s presidential primary.

It described the figure of 10.99 million votes announced for Tinubu as questionable and suggested it could be part of a broader political strategy ahead of the general elections.

The ADC also said Nigerians were no longer interested in political rhetoric but were demanding answers to pressing issues such as food prices, insecurity, and unemployment.

Since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu’s administration has implemented major economic reforms including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange unification, which the government says are necessary for long-term stability.

However, critics argue that the reforms have triggered inflation, naira depreciation, and increased cost of living for citizens across the country.

The ADC maintained that it was time for government to focus on delivering tangible relief to Nigerians rather than engaging in political criticism of the opposition.