Democracy has failed Nigerians, ADC blasts Tinubu’s government

Nigeria's democracy has failed to deliver tangible improvements to the lives of ordinary citizens, according to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The opposition party issued an open letter on Democracy Day, asserting that the true measure of democracy lies in its impact on citizens' well-being, not merely the years since military rule ended.

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Twenty-seven years after the return to democratic rule, and three years into the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, we ask you these simple questions: Is your life better today than in the past? Do you feel safer today than you felt in the past? Do you trust the government more than before?

The ADC accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government of presiding over escalating insecurity and economic distress. The party pointed to the daily killings and kidnappings across the country, where criminal elements reportedly negotiate ransoms and dictate terms of coexistence. "The most important job of a government is to protect the citizens. But is there any one of you today who believes that this government can protect anybody?" the ADC questioned, adding that the government's inability to guarantee security has led to displacement, disrupted education, and widespread fear.

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The answer to these questions is no doubt painfully clear: a resounding no.

Economically, the ADC painted a grim picture, with millions struggling under a severe cost-of-living crisis. Rising prices for food, transportation, housing, healthcare, and education are eroding incomes and forcing parents into impossible choices. Small businesses are also facing immense pressure, struggling to survive amidst the economic downturn. The party further lamented the plight of young Nigerians, many of whom face unemployment or seek opportunities abroad, despite being the nation's engine for renewal and growth.

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Every single day, Nigerians are killed in their dozens and kidnapped in their hundreds. Bandits and other criminal elements openly negotiate for ransoms and set the terms of co-existence.

The ADC's assessment challenges Nigerians to reflect on their current reality: "Is your life better today than in the past? Do you feel safer today than you felt in the past? Do you trust the government more than before?" The party concluded that the answer is a "painfully clear: a resounding no," underscoring a deep-seated disillusionment with the state of the nation.

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The most important job of a government is to protect the citizens. But is there any one of you today who believes that this government can protect anybody?