The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of deflecting public attention from Nigeria’s worsening economic and security challenges by concentrating its attacks on opposition figures, particularly former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party alleged that the APC had become preoccupied with Atiku instead of addressing the country’s rising poverty, insecurity, unemployment and soaring cost of living.
The ADC claimed that the ruling party recently seized on comments made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo about Atiku, while also criticising Catholic bishops who expressed concerns over Nigeria’s socio-economic conditions during a recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
According to the party, the APC’s reaction reflects an attempt to shift attention away from what it described as the Tinubu administration’s poor economic and security performance.
“This has become a familiar pattern. Whenever respected Nigerians point to the deepening poverty, worsening insecurity, rising cost of living or the collapse of public confidence under this administration, the APC never answers for its record. Instead, it looks for someone to attack,” the statement said.
The ADC maintained that while Obasanjo was entitled to his personal views on Atiku, such opinions could not erase the economic achievements recorded during the administration in which Atiku served as vice president.
It argued that under the Obasanjo administration, Atiku chaired the National Economic Council and played a key role in coordinating economic planning between the federal and state governments, a period it said witnessed stronger economic growth, greater macroeconomic stability and lower living costs.
The opposition party challenged the APC-led Federal Government to explain why food prices and the cost of basic necessities continue to rise despite official claims of economic progress.
It also questioned the increasing rate of poverty and unemployment, the country’s growing debt burden and the persistent wave of insecurity across several parts of Nigeria.
The ADC further claimed that about 69 per cent of federal revenue is being spent on debt servicing, while many communities continue to face attacks from bandits, terrorists and kidnappers.
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According to the party, these are the issues that should dominate national discourse ahead of the 2027 general election rather than political attacks on opposition leaders.
“The APC wants the 2027 election to be about personalities because it cannot defend its performance.
They want this election to be about Obasanjo’s personal opinion of Atiku because they cannot defend Bola Tinubu’s record based on current performance,” the statement added.
The ADC insisted that the outcome of the 2027 presidential election would ultimately be determined by the everyday experiences of Nigerians facing economic hardship and insecurity, rather than by the opinions of political figures.
