The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of shifting attention away from the country’s economic and security challenges by focusing its attacks on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
In a statement issued on Monday, the ADC said the ruling party was attempting to make the 2027 election about personalities instead of its performance in office.
“The APC wants the 2027 election to be about personalities because it cannot defend its performance. They want this election to be about Obasanjo’s personal opinion of Atiku based on a distant past because they cannot defend Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s record based on current performance,” the party said.
The opposition party said rather than respond to concerns raised by the Catholic Bishops over poverty, insecurity and the rising cost of living, the APC had chosen to attack its critics.
“Whenever respected Nigerians point to the deepening poverty, worsening insecurity, rising cost of living or the collapse of public confidence under this administration, the APC never answers for its record. Instead, it looks for someone to attack.”
The ADC maintained that comments by former President Olusegun Obasanjo about Atiku did not diminish the former vice president’s record in government.
“Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is entitled to his personal opinion of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. But opinions do not erase records,” the statement said.
According to the party, Nigeria recorded stronger economic growth, greater macroeconomic stability, improved investor confidence and a more affordable cost of living during the Obasanjo administration, when Atiku served as Vice President and Chairman of the National Economic Council.
The ADC also challenged the Tinubu administration to explain the worsening economic situation and insecurity across the country.
“Why have the prices of food and basic necessities continued to soar despite proclaimed economic growth? Why have more Nigerians fallen into poverty under your watch? Why have you failed to translate your so-called economic growth into jobs?” the party asked.
It urged the APC to focus on addressing the country’s economic and security challenges instead of engaging in political attacks ahead of the 2027 general elections.