ADC, APC clash over Tinubu’s economic policies

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have exchanged accusations over Nigeria’s economic crisis.

The ADC has blamed President Bola Tinubu’s policies for worsening living conditions, while the ruling party has accused Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president and the ADC presidential candidate for the 2027 poll, of contributing to the country’s economic problems.

The exchange occurred on Thursday during an appearance by Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC National Publicity Secretary, and Felix Morka, APC National Publicity Secretary, on News Central’s Breakfast Central, ahead of the 2027 general election.

Abdullahi accused the Tinubu administration of inflicting economic hardship on Nigerians, arguing that the government should acknowledge its shortcomings and reconsider its policies.

“What they tried to do in the last three years is like trying to fill a pothole, and in the process they end up leaving the economy in a ditch,” he said.

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Abdullahi maintained that government policies should be judged by their impact on citizens’ livelihoods rather than official claims of success.

He also questioned the government’s explanation of its Renewed Hope agenda, saying, “Nigeria is the capital to the largest number of poor people, and all you hear them is talking about this Renewed Hope agenda and you ask them, what is this Renewed Hope? They cannot come up with any articulated explanation.”

But Morka, however, dismissed the criticism, accusing Atiku, the ADC’s presidential candidate, of bearing responsibility for some of Nigeria’s longstanding economic challenges.

“Let me make clear that my good friend speaks for a candidate who is easily the most critical actor in the economic sabotage of this country,” he said.

Morka also alleged that the administration in which Atiku served as vice-president from 1999 to 2007 squandered $16 billion earmarked for electricity projects, leaving subsequent governments to address the consequences.

He accused Atiku of leaving a poor record in office, adding that the former vice-president’s criticism of Tinubu’s administration overlooked his own record in government.

“When a man like that comes along to mount this sort of very cosmetic, emotional critique of a government that is trying to solve problems that he principally created, please, my dear brother, don’t pontificate,” Morka added.