The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has criticised President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over the state of the Nigerian economy, accusing the administration of worsening the hardship faced by citizens.
The opposition party also raised concerns over the safety and welfare of APC supporters reportedly transported from different states to attend a campaign rally in Kaduna, alleging that some were left sleeping in the streets while accidents involving supporters travelling from Sokoto and Abuja had been reported.
The allegations were contained in a statement issued on Saturday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
Titled “Tinubu’s Panic Cannot Sanitise The APC’s Catastrophic Record,” the statement also faulted the APC over allegations linking former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the ADC to a purported letter and manipulated videos allegedly involving artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology.
Shaibu challenged the ruling party to provide evidence supporting the allegations, particularly claims made by Dele Alake that Atiku and the ADC were involved in a deceptive plan involving fabricated digital content.
According to him, the accusations were not supported by verifiable evidence establishing any connection between the opposition figures and the alleged materials.
He called on Alake to disclose the identities of those involved and provide relevant dates and forensic evidence to substantiate the claims.
The ADC spokesman maintained that the APC could not blame its political opponents for public dissatisfaction when, according to him, the government’s economic policies had placed considerable pressure on households across the country.
He cited petrol prices of about ₦1,400 per litre, diesel prices exceeding ₦2,000 and food inflation approaching 20 per cent as examples of the economic challenges confronting Nigerians.
Shaibu also referenced a poverty estimate attributed to the World Bank and reportedly published by Reuters, arguing that the figures reflected the consequences of the administration’s economic policies.
However, the statement did not provide specific source links or supporting documentation for the economic figures cited.
Describing the government’s economic direction as incompetent and damaging, Shaibu insisted that the hardship experienced by Nigerians was a reality rather than a product of opposition propaganda.
ADC Questions Safety of APC Supporters at Kaduna Rally
The opposition party also questioned the circumstances surrounding the transportation of APC supporters to the Kaduna rally, alleging that some participants had been brought in from distant states and left without adequate accommodation.
Shaibu expressed concern over reports of accidents involving supporters travelling from Sokoto and Abuja to attend the event.
Although he called on the APC to account for the safety of the passengers, the statement did not provide details about the alleged incidents, including their locations, the number of people involved or whether anyone sustained injuries or died.
The ADC spokesman criticised the alleged practice of transporting supporters over long distances for political rallies, describing it as an exploitation of citizens for political purposes.
He argued that making people undertake potentially hazardous journeys and sleep outdoors to create the appearance of a large crowd raised questions about the ruling party’s commitment to their welfare.
The allegations had not been independently verified in the statement.
Shaibu also questioned the APC’s explanation that a vehicle seen near one of its campaign billboards in Kaduna was engaged in a routine patrol.
He argued that the circumstances surrounding the vehicle’s presence deserved further clarification, questioning why a campaign billboard would require such protection.
ADC Questions Tinubu’s Campaign Reach
The ADC campaign council further questioned the geographical spread of Tinubu’s political activities, claiming that the President had campaigned in only 12 states.
Shaibu alleged that supporters were being transported from one location to another to create an impression of widespread national support for the ruling party.
He maintained that large crowds at political events did not necessarily demonstrate genuine public approval, arguing that public confidence could not be manufactured through transportation arrangements, billboards or organised gatherings.
The ADC spokesman insisted that the APC’s political messaging would not address the economic difficulties facing ordinary Nigerians.
He cited rising prices, declining purchasing power and what he described as unfulfilled promises as factors contributing to public dissatisfaction with the administration.
Shaibu also dismissed the APC’s criticism of Atiku, arguing that political attacks against opposition figures would do little to ease the financial pressure on Nigerian households.
He maintained that the government should focus on addressing the cost of living and improving citizens’ welfare rather than engaging in exchanges with political opponents.
The allegations and criticisms contained in the statement represent the ADC campaign council’s position. The claims concerning the safety of APC supporters, the reported accidents and the alleged movement of crowds between rallies were not independently established in the statement.
