Nigerians suffer while APC mounts billboards, campaigns for Tinubu – ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for focusing on early re-election campaigns for President Bola Tinubu while millions of Nigerians struggle with inflation, insecurity, and hardship.

This was contained in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, on Wednesday.

According to the ADC, the APC has gone into campaign mode two years before the 2027 general elections, ignoring the law and the suffering of the people.

“For months now, the APC has been holding rallies and putting up billboards across the country, calling for President Tinubu’s second term. From Abuja to Port Harcourt, Minna, Kano, and Akure, these staged endorsements ignore the Electoral Act and the recent warning from INEC, which clearly states that public campaigning is illegal until 150 days before the election.”

The party said this behaviour shows a disregard for Nigeria’s electoral laws and makes it seem like the ruling party is more concerned with holding onto power than solving real problems.

“The ADC said while the APC is busy chanting four more years for President Tinubu, the cost of living has become unbearable for ordinary Nigerians.

“Inflation has gone through the roof, with food, transport, and rent costing about 60% more than they did when Tinubu took office. The naira has crashed from around N461 to over N1,500 per dollar, wiping out people’s savings and crippling small businesses. Petrol, which used to sell for N185 before subsidy removal, now costs more than N1,000 per litre making everyday life a struggle for millions.”

The ADC said Nigeria is sinking deeper into debt, with little money left for basic services like schools, hospitals, and roads.

“According to the World Bank, the country now spends more on paying back loans than it earns in revenue,” ADC revealed.

Despite this, the government continues to borrow more, while revenue collection remains very low compared to other African countries.

On insecurity, the party described the situation as a national nightmare.

“Between April and June alone, 122 security personnel and 1,865 civilians were killed across the country. More than 3,100 security-related deaths were recorded during that period, the ADC said.

“Just last Friday, over 50 people were kidnapped in Sabon Gari Dirmi, Zamfara State.

“Nigerians are being abducted like it’s a daily business. But instead of addressing this crisis, the President is busy chasing endorsements for a second term.”

“Rather than deploying more security personnel, the government has filled the streets with campaign billboards,” it added.

The ADC also criticised the state of the power sector, noting that the national grid has collapsed multiple times this year. It accused the APC of failing to deliver on its promise of steady electricity supply.

“Nigerians are hungry, sick, and scared. Yet instead of finding real solutions, the government is busy building a team of online propagandists and spreading false hope.”

The party called on the APC to dismantle its unlawful campaign machinery and respect the law it swore to uphold.

“Until the lawful campaign window opens, every political billboard is a billboard of illegality and should be taken down,” the party said.

Nigerians suffer while APC mounts billboards, campaigns for Tinubu – ADC