ADC Says Tinubu's Government Is Out of Touch on Hunger Issues

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday accused President Bola Tinubu's government of being disconnected from the struggles of everyday Nigerians. This follows comments from presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who said he does not see the hunger and hardship many people are reporting.

In a statement on Wednesday, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC's National Publicity Secretary, called Onanuga’s remarks insensitive. He said they reflect the mindset of the current administration.

The ADC believes these comments show that the government is out of touch with the reality that millions of Nigerians are facing. They pointed out the rising living costs and worsening economic conditions that affect many families.

“Those comments are not merely insensitive; they are a startling admission of how disconnected the APC government has become from the realities of the people it governs,” Abdullahi said.

According to the party, the hardship people are experiencing is real and cannot be dismissed as exaggerated or politically motivated. They say when over 80 percent of Nigerians struggle to feed their families, pay school fees, afford transport, and keep their businesses running, it is strange for a senior presidential spokesman to suggest that the hardship is overstated.

The ADC blamed the country’s economic troubles on what they called poorly thought-out and badly implemented policies from the Tinubu government since it took office in May 2023.

“The truth is that Nigerians are not faking their suffering. The unprecedented cost-of-living crisis confronting the country today is the direct result of the ill-conceived and poorly executed economic policies of the Tinubu administration, which have thrown millions more into acute poverty since this government came to power,” Abdullahi stated.

The party highlighted that rising food prices, increased transportation costs, and declining purchasing power have become part of everyday life for many households.

“This is not opposition propaganda. It is the daily lived experience of ordinary Nigerians in every state of the federation,” the statement added.

The ADC also argued that Onanuga's comments show a government cut off from the realities faced by ordinary people. They said the government needs to listen to the people in markets, on farms, in schools, and on the streets.

“A sensible government does not measure the effects of its policies by merely looking at the people within its immediate circle or driving through paved roads,” Abdullahi said.

“If the presidency genuinely cannot see the hunger and hardship that Nigerians are talking about, then it raises serious questions about whether it sees the people at all.”

While the administration may point to ongoing infrastructure projects as signs of progress, the ADC said economic well-being is the most important measure of good governance.

“The APC government will undoubtedly point to road infrastructure projects as its achievements. While even this is debatable, the fact remains that Nigerians cannot eat roads.”

“The first responsibility of any government is to create economic conditions in which citizens can afford food, find jobs, run businesses, and live with dignity. On this most fundamental test, the Tinubu administration has failed,” the statement added.

The ADC insisted that the issue is no longer about whether Nigerians are suffering but whether the government is willing to accept the impact of its policies.

“The question is no longer whether Nigerians are suffering; Nigerians already know that they are. The real question is whether this government is prepared to acknowledge the consequences of its policies and accept responsibility for its historic failures,” Abdullahi stated.

The ADC's comments come after Onanuga challenged the widespread views on hunger and hardship in the country. He claimed that current economic indicators and government efforts paint a more positive picture of the economy.

This back-and-forth comes amid ongoing debates about the impact of the administration’s economic reforms. These include the removal of the fuel subsidy and changes in the foreign exchange market. Government officials say these are necessary for long-term stability but have also led to sharp increases in living costs.