Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech long on promises, short on answers - ADC

Nigeria's African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu's Democracy Day address, labeling it as "long on promises and short on answers." The opposition party asserted that the speech amounted to another campaign address masquerading as a presidential statement, arguing that Nigerians deserve tangible results rather than renewed assurances on economic recovery, security, and job creation.

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President Tinubu’s address was long on promises and short on answers. What Nigerians heard today was not the speech of a government entering its fourth year in office. It was the speech of a candidate seeking another mandate.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC contended that Tinubu's speech raised fundamental questions about the performance of both his administration and the broader All Progressives Congress (APC) government since it assumed power in 2015. "What Nigerians heard today was not the speech of a government entering its fourth year in office. It was the speech of a candidate seeking another mandate," the party declared.

The ADC's reaction followed Tinubu's national address commemorating Democracy Day, a holiday marking the June 12, 1993 presidential election. While acknowledging the significance of the date and the sacrifices of pro-democracy activists, the opposition party accused the President of failing to account for his administration's performance. "The question Nigerians should be asking is simple: after three years of President Tinubu and eleven years of APC rule, why are we still talking about promises?" the statement read.

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The question Nigerians should be asking is simple: after three years of President Tinubu and eleven years of APC rule, why are we still talking about promises?

The party further argued that many of the core issues the APC pledged to address upon coming to power, including insecurity, unemployment, poverty, and economic decline, remain significant challenges. "The APC came to power in 2015 promising to tackle insecurity, revive the economy, create jobs, reduce poverty, strengthen institutions, and improve the quality of life of Nigerians. Eleven years later, these same issues continue to dominate the government's speeches," the ADC stated. The party views the president's continued promises as an admission that previous pledges remain unfulfilled.

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The APC came to power in 2015 promising to tackle insecurity, revive the economy, create jobs, reduce poverty, strengthen institutions, and improve the quality of life of Nigerians. Eleven years later, these same issues continue to dominate the government’s speeches. The fact that the President is still making many of the same promises that brought the APC to power is itself an admission that those promises remain unfulfilled.

Furthermore, the ADC faulted the administration's focus on future prospects while millions of Nigerians endure severe economic hardship. "The President spoke extensively about economic reforms. Yet, he failed to adequately address the reality that millions of Nigerians are experiencing one of the most severe cost-of-living crises in recent memory. Food prices remain painfully high. Transportation costs have soared. Small businesses continue to struggle under rising costs," the party noted.

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The President spoke extensively about economic reforms. Yet, he failed to adequately address the reality that millions of Nigerians are experiencing one of the most severe cost-of-living crises in recent memory. Food prices remain painfully high. Transportation costs have soared. Small businesses continue to struggle under rising costs.