The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for allegedly launching his 2027 re-election campaign amidst a state of emergency in Nigeria. The party described the move as insensitive, claiming it undermines the purpose of the emergency declaration. In a statement, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, condemned the distribution of branded vehicles to political agents across the country, citing the ongoing suffering of ordinary citizens due to kidnappings and escalating violence.

The ADC accused President Tinubu of prioritizing his re-election bid over addressing the country’s worsening security crises. By launching his campaign under the name “Renewed Hope Ambassadors,” the party argued that the President is acting more like a presidential candidate focused on re-election than a leader of a nation under emergency rule. The party also alleged that the President’s actions violate the Electoral Act and the INEC timetable, as the official campaign period for the 2027 elections has not yet begun.

Nigeria has been under a declared state of emergency due to worsening insecurity, with entire communities under siege and the armed forces stretched thin. The ADC expressed surprise that the President is focused on re-election at a time when citizens are being kidnapped, displaced, and killed. The party emphasized that the President’s declaration of a state of emergency appears to be a mere gimmick, given his priority on re-election.

The ADC has called on the President to return to governance, suggesting that his political ambition may be hindering Nigeria’s recovery. The party has also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take action to protect the integrity of the electoral process, citing the violation of electoral rules. As the situation in Nigeria continues to deteriorate, the ADC’s criticism of the President’s actions has highlighted the need for leadership to prioritize the country’s security and well-being over political ambitions. The development is likely to have significant implications for the country’s upcoming elections and the future of its democracy.