APC Accuses Opposition ADC of Misrepresenting Economic Reforms and Poverty Data
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) of deliberately misleading the public by misinterpreting recent poverty statistics to criticise government economic policies.
The dispute centres on a report from the Agora Policy Dialogue, which estimated Nigeria’s poverty rate rose from 49% to 63%. The ADC cited this as a “damning verdict” on President Bola Tinubu’s administration. In response, the APC issued a sharp rebuttal, stating the ADC displays either “profound ignorance” or a “deliberate refusal” to acknowledge the rationale behind recent reforms.
The APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, clarified that the removal of the fuel subsidy and unification of the foreign exchange market were “courageous and historic policy changes” necessary to correct long-standing structural distortions. He argued previous administrations lacked the political will to implement these “inevitably difficult” reforms due to fears of temporary economic pain.
The party contended that the fuel subsidy regime, prior to its removal in May 2023, was a massive fiscal drain, consuming over 90% of government revenue while fostering waste, corruption, and smuggling. Since the reforms, the APC highlighted several economic indicators it says demonstrate progress: GDP growth of 4.4% in the past year with a projected 5.5% for the current fiscal year, foreign reserves reaching a nearly 20-year high of over $50 billion, and a steady decline in inflation toward single digits, with food inflation at a 13-year low.
Furthermore, the APC noted increased revenue allocations to state and local governments and pointed to ongoing social intervention programmes—including cash transfers and student loan support—designed to mitigate short-term difficulties for vulnerable groups.
The party criticised the ADC for offering no alternative policy solutions, suggesting it engages in criticism for its own sake. The APC asserted that Nigerians recognise the administration’s commitment to rebuilding the economy, arguing the visible benefits of the reforms outweigh the temporary challenges.
The exchange underscores the intense political debate surrounding the socioeconomic impact of the government’s bold but contentious economic liberalisation policies, with the ruling party defending its strategy as essential for long-term stability and growth.
