The African Democratic Congress has dismissed allegations by the All Progressives Congress that it is attempting to incite Nigerians against the Federal Government, following the ruling party’s defence of the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu.
Reacting to the APC’s response, the opposition party said its earlier comments were based on credible reports that highlight worsening poverty levels and declining living conditions across the country. It maintained that the statistics it cited were not political rhetoric but documented findings that capture the economic hardship being experienced by Nigerians.
In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party rejected the accusation of incitement and pointed to data indicating that Nigeria’s poverty rate has climbed to 63 percent from about 50 percent before the removal of petrol subsidy.
It also referenced survey findings showing that 93 percent of Nigerians believe the country is moving in the wrong direction, arguing that such figures reflect the reality facing citizens.
The party further stated that the statistics underline the human consequences of the administration’s economic policies and echo the frustrations of Nigerians struggling with worsening economic conditions, which it described as a situation where citizens are living in hell under the APC-led government. The statement reads in part: “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 party stressed that the figures sparking the debate were drawn from independent assessments that show a sharp rise in poverty since the introduction of recent economic reforms.
“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,” ADC said.
The party further pointed to survey results indicating widespread public dissatisfaction with the direction of the country.
It said: “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.”
While the ruling party has argued that the economic hardship being experienced is temporary, the ADC insisted that available data paints a far more troubling picture.
“The APC also insists that the hardship Nigerians are experiencing is ‘transient.’ But the numbers tell a different story. Recent surveys show that 82 percent 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,” ADC said.
The party also highlighted the sharp increase in fuel prices since the removal of subsidy, arguing that the rise has had ripple effects across the economy.
“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,” the party said.
Addressing claims by the APC that savings from the removal of fuel subsidy are being channelled into critical sectors, the opposition party questioned the transparency surrounding the funds.
“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,” ADC said.
The party said the situation has prompted many Nigerians to ask questions about the destination of the subsidy savings.
