The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has intensified its criticism of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the governing party of steering national political discussions away from the pressing challenges confronting Nigerians and replacing them with debates centred on political personalities.
The opposition party argued that as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, Nigerians deserve clear explanations on the state of the economy, rising insecurity and the increasing cost of living rather than political attacks directed at critics of the current administration.
The position of the ADC was contained in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, who maintained that the APC has consistently responded to criticism by attacking individuals instead of addressing the concerns being raised by citizens and respected national figures.
According to the party, the ruling APC recently seized on comments made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo about former Vice President Atiku Abubakar while simultaneously criticizing members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference after they openly expressed concern over the country’s economic and security situation during a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
The ADC said those reactions reflected what it described as a familiar pattern in which the government focuses on discrediting critics whenever difficult questions are asked about its performance.
The party argued that Nigerians are facing unprecedented economic pressure, with many households struggling to cope with soaring food prices, high transportation costs, rising inflation and declining purchasing power.
It added that concerns over insecurity in several parts of the country have further compounded the hardship experienced by ordinary citizens.
According to the statement, these are the issues that should dominate public discourse ahead of the next general election rather than disagreements involving political leaders or comments made about opposition figures.
The ADC maintained that instead of providing measurable evidence of improvements in governance, the APC has concentrated its energy on responding to personalities.
“It has become a familiar pattern,” the statement read. “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. Yesterday, it was the Catholic Bishops. Today, it is Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. Tomorrow, it will be someone else.”
The opposition party insisted that many Nigerians remain dissatisfied with the explanations offered by the government regarding the country’s economic direction, arguing that citizens continue to seek practical solutions rather than political exchanges.
The ADC further alleged that the APC’s inability to effectively respond to criticism stems from what it described as a poor record in managing the economy and improving the welfare of Nigerians.
Referring to the recent meeting between President Tinubu and Catholic Bishops, the party claimed the bishops merely reflected the realities confronting millions of Nigerians by highlighting the country’s socio-economic difficulties.
According to the ADC, instead of addressing the substance of those concerns, the ruling party chose to criticize those who voiced them.
The statement also addressed recent comments by former President Olusegun Obasanjo concerning former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. While acknowledging that Obasanjo has every democratic right to express his opinion, the ADC stressed that individual opinions should not be mistaken for historical facts.
The party argued that the Obasanjo administration, during which Atiku served as Vice President and Chairman of the National Economic Council, recorded stronger economic performance than what Nigeria is currently experiencing.
It stated that the country witnessed improved macroeconomic stability, greater investor confidence and relatively affordable living conditions during that period.
The ADC also noted that Atiku coordinated economic planning between the Federal Government and state governments through the National Economic Council, insisting that whatever political disagreements may currently exist between the two former leaders cannot erase what it described as their administration’s economic record.
According to the opposition party, Nigerians will ultimately compare past and present administrations based on measurable outcomes rather than political opinions or personal disagreements.
The ADC further challenged the APC-led Federal Government to provide direct answers to questions that many Nigerians continue to ask.
Among the issues raised by the party were the persistent increase in food prices, growing poverty levels, unemployment, the country’s rising debt profile, increasing debt servicing obligations and the continued security challenges affecting several communities.
The party maintained that these issues should form the foundation of public debate ahead of the 2027 elections because they directly affect the daily lives of millions of Nigerians.
It argued that citizens are more interested in knowing how government policies have improved their standard of living than following exchanges between political leaders.
According to the ADC, attempts to redirect attention toward personalities will not erase the everyday realities confronting Nigerians across the country.
The opposition party insisted that elections are ultimately decided by voters based on their personal experiences rather than political rhetoric.
It stated that the APC appears determined to make the next election about former political leaders because discussing current economic realities would expose what it described as the shortcomings of the Tinubu administration.
“They want this election to be about Obasanjo’s opinion of Atiku because they cannot defend President Bola Tinubu’s performance based on current realities,” the statement said.
The ADC concluded by expressing confidence that Nigerians would evaluate political parties on the basis of governance, economic performance, security and quality of life rather than on personal attacks or political distractions.
It maintained that the judgment of over 200 million Nigerians, many of whom continue to grapple with hardship and uncertainty, will ultimately determine the direction of the country’s democratic future when voters return to the polls in 2027.
The party reiterated that accountability, transparency and improved governance should remain at the centre of national conversations as the country approaches another election cycle, insisting that citizens deserve answers to the challenges affecting their everyday lives rather than prolonged political exchanges over personalities.