The African Democratic Congress has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the state of the economy and worsening insecurity in the country, accusing his administration of presiding over “one of the most painful periods in Nigeria’s democratic history.”
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the opposition party said it was “genuinely shocked and saddened” by Tinubu’s comments dismissing the opposition while commending his administration’s economic reforms.
The party described the government’s policies as “catastrophic,” arguing that millions of Nigerians are battling severe hardship, rising inflation, hunger, and insecurity.
“It is both ironic and tragic that a government under whose watch nearly 35 million Nigerians are now projected to face acute food insecurity in 2026 would accuse the opposition of lacking ideas or vision,” the statement read.
According to the ADC, Nigerians are facing unprecedented economic anxiety as food prices soar, businesses shut down, and insecurity continues to affect farming communities across the country.
“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,” the party stated.
The opposition party further accused the administration of failing to address worsening poverty and the declining value of the naira.
“The opposition did not create the hunger in the land. The opposition did not destroy the value of the naira. The opposition did not create the insecurity that has turned farming communities into killing fields,” the statement added.
The ADC said Nigerians are more concerned about the rising cost of living and insecurity than political rhetoric.
“Nigerians are asking simple questions: Why is food unaffordable? Why are businesses collapsing? Why are citizens increasingly unsafe? Why are more Nigerians falling into poverty despite endless promises of reform and recovery?” the party queried.
The party insisted that Nigeria needs “competent leadership and compassionate governance,” adding that the opposition remains committed to offering an alternative direction for the country.
The ADC also questioned the credibility of the reported 10.99 million votes secured by Tinubu during the ruling All Progressives Congress presidential primary, describing the figure as reflective of a flawed political culture rather than democratic competition.