A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Femi Adekanmbi, says the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Ondo State is “dead on arrival.”
Adekanmbi said that ADC lacked credibility and viable policy alternatives to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The politician in a statement, on Monday, in Akure questioned the opposition’s campaign strategy in the light of Tinubu’s achievements so far.
He said both former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, the key opposition figures, had admitted they would have removed fuel subsidies if elected as president.
Adekanmbi highlighted that the Federal Government previously borrowed billions on monthly basis to sustain fuel subsidy, a practice Tinubu ended, freeing up resources for development.
He credited Tinubu’s policies for increasing state allocations by nearly 250 per cent, enabling states to clear outstanding loans and workers’ salaries.
“No state owes workers’ salaries anymore, unlike in the past when arrears spanned months,” he said.
He challenged the ADC to clarify its stance on key reforms.
“Will they reinstate fuel subsidy, reduce state allocation, or revert to the dual exchange rate system under former CBN Gov. Godwin Emefiele, where dollars were sold at favourable rates to selected individuals for black-market profiteering,” Adekanmbi asked.
He questioned whether the ADC would reverse progress on the minimum wage, currently set above N30,000, cancel the Student Loan programme, or halt university funding, risking academic strikes.
“Since Tinubu’s administration began, we have not witnessed the prolonged ASUU strikes of the past,” he noted.
Adekanmbi also praised Tinubu’s “naira for crude” policy, which replaced the dollar-based crude oil trade, strengthening the naira.
He asked if the ADC would undo local government autonomy, reinstate the two-year passport processing delay, or cancel the international acceptance of Naira cards, isolating Nigeria from the global economy.
Adekambi questioned whether the opposition would halt ongoing dam rehabilitation and irrigation projects under the Federal Ministries of Water Resources and Agriculture, which are enhancing food security.
Adekanmbi argued that the ADC stood little chance of success, not only in the state but nationwide.
“They are complaining because it’s no longer business as usual. Free money from subsidies, CBN dollars, and unexecuted contracts are gone,” he stated.
He announced that the Tinubu Support Group, TSG, Ondo State Chapter, would soon launch its activities to educate citizens on the positive impacts of Tinubu’s administration.
“Tinubu has done much to uplift the underprivileged and rebuild an economy damaged by past mismanagement.
“Nigerians will reject the opposition when campaigns begin.
“He urged citizens to hold state governors and local government chairmen accountable for not utilising increased allocations effectively.
“Thanks to Tinubu’s subsidy removal, states and local governments now receive substantial funds.
“Citizens must demand accountability from these leaders, not the Federal Government, which is fulfilling its role,” he said.
