Tinubu and APC Has Made Nigerians Poorer Hungrier And Angrier As Opposition ADC Rejects Any Talk Of Tenure Extension

 

The African Democratic Congress has issued a sharp criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing his administration of worsening poverty, hunger, and insecurity across the country. The party declared that the President should be preparing to hand over power in 2027 rather than entertaining conversations about extending his stay in office.

This declaration followed remarks from the Presidency suggesting that Tinubu has no intention of remaining in power beyond 2031. To the ADC, such a comment is both presumptuous and undemocratic because the current mandate ends in 2027. The opposition party insists that Nigerians are not inclined to tolerate a continuation of the present economic and social conditions, let alone grant additional years of leadership under the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, signed the statement released on Tuesday. He asserted that the mood in the country reflects widespread disappointment, as citizens are struggling daily with a collapsing currency, rising inflation, and worsening insecurity. According to him, the ruling government has plunged Nigeria into one of its most turbulent periods since independence.

Security concerns remain a major theme in the ADC’s assessment. The party lamented that terrorist groups, bandits, and armed criminals now act with impunity in many regions. Reports of mass abductions, deadly raids on rural settlements, and unchecked violence have created an atmosphere of fear. Communities that once thrived on farming and trade now live under siege, with residents forced to abandon their homes and livelihoods. The party described the situation as a national trauma that the government lacks both the will and the capacity to address effectively.

The economy came under equally fierce criticism. According to the ADC, the naira has suffered a near-collapse under Tinubu’s watch, triggering runaway inflation that has left food and essential goods far beyond the reach of average households. Many businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises that provide employment to millions, are folding up due to policy inconsistencies and heavy taxation. The consequences, the party observed, are visible in vanishing jobs, the erosion of the middle class, and an explosion in poverty levels.

Food prices have tripled in several parts of Nigeria, pushing families into desperate situations. Parents struggle to feed children, and workers find their wages depleted within days of earning them. The ADC insists that these hardships are not mere economic cycles but the direct outcome of failed leadership and poorly executed policies. The opposition party stressed that Nigerians are not only poorer but also hungrier and angrier than at any point in recent memory.

Beyond the immediate pains, the ADC warned of long-term dangers. The party argued that if the government fails to stabilize the economy and restore confidence, the social fabric could further deteriorate, leading to unrest and instability. A vanishing middle class, coupled with youth unemployment, may produce conditions ripe for more insecurity and disillusionment with democratic governance.

For the ADC, the solution lies in ensuring a democratic transition to a more competent leadership in 2027. The party dismissed any idea of tenure elongation, whether overt or subtle, as unacceptable. It underscored that the President’s mandate ends in 2027 and that Nigerians, weary from hardship, will not allow an extension by even a single day. According to Abdullahi, the time has come for citizens to demand accountability and to prepare for a government that can deliver on the promise of security, prosperity, and justice.

Observers note that the ADC’s statement reflects a broader sentiment across opposition parties and civic groups that are increasingly vocal about the Tinubu administration’s handling of national affairs. While the government has defended its reforms as painful but necessary steps to stabilize the economy, critics argue that the impact on ordinary Nigerians has been devastating. The coming months are expected to intensify debates about governance, accountability, and the direction of Nigeria as the 2027 election cycle draws closer.

For now, the ADC has positioned itself as one of the loudest voices calling for change. By linking the daily struggles of citizens to the government’s policies, the party seeks to channel public anger into political momentum. Whether that momentum will translate into significant electoral gains remains to be seen, but the message is clear: many Nigerians believe the current administration has made life harder, not better.

The ADC concluded its statement by urging Nigerians not to lose hope but to organize and demand leadership that prioritizes their welfare. It argued that the promise of democracy rests not in tenure extensions but in periodic renewal of leadership through free and fair elections. For millions grappling with insecurity, unemployment, and hunger, the 2027 transition may indeed represent a critical opportunity for change.