ADC Accuses Tinubu of Panic Ahead of 2027

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Tinubu of becoming anxious about the 2027 general elections, describing the Federal Government’s proposed ₦50,000 monthly cash relief as an attempt to win public support.

The opposition party alleged that the proposed payment was politically motivated and followed its campaign promise to reduce the cost of living and make essential goods and services more affordable if elected in 2027.

The ADC made its position known in a statement issued on Saturday, October 31, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.

Abdullahi claimed that the timing of the government’s announcement raised questions about its intentions, arguing that the proposed intervention appeared to be a response to the opposition’s campaign agenda rather than a carefully planned measure to ease economic hardship.

He said the government had announced several relief measures since the beginning of its administration, including a $1bn Renewed Hope Social Intervention Fund in August, a 30-day fuel discount, reduced transportation costs across states from October 1 and a ₦70,000 transportation allowance for workers.

However, the ADC spokesman argued that most of the initiatives had not produced noticeable improvements in the lives of Nigerians. He described the latest ₦50,000 proposal as another attempt to attract public sympathy ahead of the elections.

The party also questioned the purchasing power of the proposed payment amid rising costs of food, transportation, petrol and essential medicines.

It argued that the amount would offer limited relief to households struggling to meet their daily needs and described the intervention as inadequate and delayed.

The ADC further accused the Tinubu administration of failing to manage the effects of its economic reforms and disregarding warnings about the hardship they could impose on citizens.

According to the party, financial support for vulnerable Nigerians should have been incorporated into the reform programme from the outset rather than introduced close to an election.

The opposition party also raised concerns about transparency in the management of government intervention funds, warning that the proposed programme could create another opportunity for public money to be diverted.

It referred to findings by the Auditor-General concerning billions of naira allocated to previous cash transfer programmes, which were allegedly not properly accounted for.

The ADC called on the Federal Government to explain how the earlier intervention funds were spent and disclose whether anyone had been held responsible for the reported financial irregularities.

It questioned the government’s ability to secure public confidence in another programme involving billions of naira without first accounting for the previous funds.