The African Democratic Congress has criticised the All Progressives Congress over its defence of the economic reforms introduced by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, arguing that the policies have worsened living conditions and pushed more Nigerians into poverty.
The exchange between the two parties reflects the growing political debate over the real impact of the administration’s economic policies on citizens across the country.
The dispute followed accusations by the APC that the opposition party was attempting to incite Nigerians against the government. However, the ADC rejected the allegation, insisting that the statistics it cited were drawn from independent reports and public opinion surveys.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the ruling party had failed to address evidence suggesting that more Nigerians are falling into poverty since the introduction of the government’s economic reforms.
“The African Democratic Congress, ADC, takes note of the ruling party, APC’s response to our earlier statement on the rising poverty figures under the Bola Tinubu-led government. But instead of addressing the clear evidence that more Nigerians are falling into poverty under this government, the ruling party has chosen to attack the opposition and dismiss the lived realities of millions of citizens. Facts, however, cannot be dismissed by press statements.
“The independent report that triggered this debate shows that Nigeria’s poverty rate has risen to 63 percent, up from about 50 percent before the removal of petrol subsidy. This means that tens of millions of additional Nigerians have been pushed into poverty in the period since the administration’s failed economic policies were introduced. The APC claims Nigerians support its reforms, yet the data says otherwise,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC also pointed to rising fuel prices as evidence of the pressure placed on households following the removal of petrol subsidy shortly after Tinubu assumed office.
“The APC speaks proudly of macroeconomic indicators, but Nigerians live in a real economy where fuel prices have surged by almost 500 percent, from about N255 per litre in May 2023 when Tinubu came into office, to around N1,500 per litre today in many parts of this country. This is pushing up transport costs and driving food prices beyond the reach of millions of households.
“Independent surveys show that 93 percent of Nigerians believe the country is heading in the wrong direction. Eighty-eight percent describe the national economy as bad, while 74 percent say their personal living conditions are poor.
“These are not opposition talking points. They are the views of Nigerians themselves, APC members included,” Abdullahi said.
Responding to the ruling party’s claim that the hardship faced by Nigerians is temporary, the ADC cited additional survey data suggesting that many citizens are struggling to meet basic needs.
“The APC also insists that the hardship Nigerians are experiencing is ‘transient.’ But the numbers tell a different story.
‘Recent surveys show that 82 per cent of Nigerians report going without enough food at least once in the past year, 82 percent have gone without medical care, 79 percent have gone without cooking fuel, 74 percent have gone without clean water, and 95 percent have gone without a cash income at some point during the year. These figures point not to temporary discomfort, but to widespread and deepening economic distress.
“The APC claims that the money previously spent on fuel subsidy, which should amount to roughly N6.4 trillion in savings last year alone, is now being redirected to ‘vital sectors’ such as healthcare and social development.
However, it is on record that only N36 million, just about 0.02 percent of the capital budget, was actually released for capital projects in 2025 for Nigeria’s entire federal healthcare sector.
“Nigerians are therefore left to ask a simple question: if the subsidy savings are truly being redirected to critical sectors, where exactly is all the money going? Why are local contractors not paid? Why are the universities still poorly equipped?”
What you should know
Since assuming office in 2023, President Bola Tinubu has introduced major economic reforms, including the removal of petrol subsidy and foreign exchange liberalisation.
The government says the measures are necessary to stabilise Nigeria’s economy and attract investment.
However, opposition parties such as the African Democratic Congress argue that the policies have worsened inflation and increased hardship for ordinary Nigerians, fueling ongoing political debates over their impact.
