Nigeria’s opposition party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has sharply criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for prioritizing President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaigns two years ahead of the 2027 general elections, amid mounting economic and security challenges. In a Wednesday statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC accused the APC of flouting electoral guidelines and neglecting citizens’ pressing needs while focusing on “staged endorsements” for Tinubu’s second term.
Citing Nigeria’s Electoral Act, the ADC noted that public campaigning is prohibited until 150 days before elections, a rule reiterated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Despite this, the APC has reportedly organized rallies and erected campaign billboards nationwide, from Abuja to Kano and Akure. The opposition party framed these actions as a “disregard for the law” and evidence of the ruling party’s fixation on political survival over governance.
The criticism comes as Nigeria grapples with soaring inflation, which the ADC claims has driven up food, transport, and housing costs by approximately 60% since Tinubu took office in May 2023. The naira has plummeted from around ₦461 to over ₦1,500 per U.S. dollar, eroding savings and destabilizing small businesses. Fuel prices, which surged from ₦185 to over ₦1,000 per liter following the removal of subsidies, have exacerbated financial strain for households. The World Bank’s recent report, referenced by the ADC, warns that debt servicing now exceeds government revenues, leaving scant funds for education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Security concerns further dominate the ADC’s rebuke. Between April and June 2024, over 3,100 security-related deaths were recorded—including 122 security personnel and 1,865 civilians—with kidnappings surging. A mass abduction of 50 people in Zamfara State last week underscored widespread insecurity, which the party labeled a “national nightmare.” The ADC contrasts these crises with the government’s alleged focus on billboards rather than bolstering security resources.
The opposition also highlighted failures in the energy sector, pointing to multiple national grid collapses this year and unmet promises of reliable electricity. “Nigerians are hungry, sick, and scared,” the statement read, accusing the APC of prioritizing “online propagandists” over tangible solutions.
The ADC urged the ruling party to dismantle its early campaign infrastructure and adhere to electoral laws, stressing that all pre-election billboards constitute “illegality.” While Tinubu’s administration has yet to publicly respond, the criticism underscores growing scrutiny of its policies ahead of the 2027 polls, with economic stability and public safety remaining pivotal concerns for citizens.
