ADC slams Tinubu over economic hardship claims

Nigeria's opposition party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu, labeling his tenure as one of the most difficult periods in the nation's democratic history. The ADC accused the president of presiding over widespread economic hardship and warned of early signs of attempts to rig the upcoming 2027 general elections. These remarks came in response to Tinubu's own criticisms of opposition parties, whom he accused of lacking vision.

“

If the opposition is going to take the country backwards, it would be to reset it from the edge of the dangerous precipice that the current administration has placed it on, because to continue on the same trajectory is to plunge the country into the abyss.

The ADC countered Tinubu's claims, stating that if the opposition were to take the country backward, it would be to reset it from the "dangerous precipice" the current administration has created. The party asserted that Tinubu's government has failed to effectively address escalating inflation, critical food insecurity, and pervasive insecurity across the country. "It is both ironic and tragic that a government under whose watch nearly 35m Nigerians are now projected to face acute food insecurity in 2026 would accuse the opposition of lacking ideas or vision," the ADC stated.

Further elaborating on the economic distress, the ADC pointed to a collapse in living standards, with millions of families forced to reduce meals and businesses closing due to mounting economic pressure. The party also highlighted the severe impact of insecurity on agriculture, noting that farmers in many regions cannot safely access their lands because of banditry, kidnappings, and violent attacks. This contrasts sharply with the government's narrative that its economic reforms, such as the removal of fuel subsidies and foreign exchange unification, are necessary for stabilization and investment.

“

It is both ironic and tragic that a government under whose watch nearly 35m Nigerians are now projected to face acute food insecurity in 2026 would accuse the opposition of lacking ideas or vision.

The ADC insisted that the opposition cannot be held responsible for the country's current economic realities. The party's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, emphasized the dire situation, stating, "Under President Tinubu’s administration, millions of families have been forced to reduce meals, businesses are shutting down daily under unbearable economic pressure, and farmers across many parts of the country can no longer safely access their farmlands because of banditry, kidnappings, and violent attacks."

“

Under President Tinubu’s administration, millions of families have been forced to reduce meals, businesses are shutting down daily under unbearable economic pressure, and farmers across many parts of the country can no longer safely access their farmlands because of banditry, kidnappings, and violent attacks.