Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has pushed back strongly against allegations made by the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) regarding the country’s rising poverty rate.
The APC accused the opposition party of attempting to mislead Nigerians by linking the latest poverty statistics directly to the economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The controversy followed remarks by the ADC, which cited a recent report suggesting that Nigeria’s poverty rate has climbed to about 63 percent.
According to the opposition party, the increase became more evident after the federal government removed the long-standing petrol subsidy.
The ADC argued that the development reflects what it described as the real outcome of the current administration’s economic policies.
In its reaction, however, the APC dismissed the claim as a deliberate attempt to politicise economic reforms that it says were necessary to stabilise the nation’s economy.
The ruling party maintained that the policy decisions taken since Tinubu assumed office were not designed to worsen living conditions but to address deep-rooted economic distortions that had threatened the country for decades.
The APC’s position was made known in a statement released on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka.
He explained that prior to May 29, 2023, Nigeria operated a costly fuel subsidy system and a complicated foreign exchange structure that drained public finances and weakened economic growth.
According to him, there had long been a broad understanding among policymakers and economic experts that the subsidy regime was unsustainable.
However, successive administrations hesitated to remove it due to fears that the decision might trigger short-term hardship among citizens.
Morka noted that Tinubu showed decisive leadership by announcing the removal of fuel subsidy during his inauguration.
The government later moved to harmonise Nigeria’s multiple foreign exchange rates, another step aimed at restoring confidence in the economy and improving transparency in currency markets.
The ruling party described the reforms as historic measures intended to free Nigeria from years of economic stagnation.
It insisted that while the changes initially caused discomfort for many Nigerians, they were necessary to prevent deeper economic problems in the future.
Responding to the poverty rate statistics referenced by the ADC, the APC argued that the report cited by the opposition was presented during a policy dialogue organised by the think tank Agora Policy.
According to the ruling party, the same report acknowledged that structural reforms were required to correct long-standing weaknesses in Nigeria’s economic system.
The APC therefore accused the ADC of selectively interpreting the report in order to criticise the government while ignoring its broader conclusions.
Beyond rejecting the opposition’s claims, the ruling party also questioned the ADC’s credibility as a political alternative.
It argued that the party had failed to present practical economic policy options that could improve the lives of Nigerians.
Instead, the APC alleged that the ADC had focused largely on criticising government decisions without offering constructive ideas or solutions to national challenges.
Defending the fuel subsidy removal, the APC said the policy represented one of the most consequential fiscal decisions made in Nigeria’s recent history.
For decades, the subsidy programme consumed trillions of naira annually from government coffers.
Despite its huge cost, the ruling party argued that the subsidy failed to benefit ordinary Nigerians in a meaningful way.
According to the APC, the system encouraged corruption, inefficiency and widespread smuggling of petrol across Nigeria’s borders.
The party also claimed that the arrangement enriched import cartels and middlemen while placing enormous pressure on public finances.
As a result, funds that could have been invested in infrastructure, education and healthcare were instead used to sustain an inefficient subsidy structure.
With the subsidy removed, the APC said the government now has more financial resources to invest in key sectors of the economy.
These investments, it argued, will eventually reduce the poverty rate by creating jobs, improving infrastructure and strengthening social support programmes.
The ruling party also emphasised that economic reform is rarely painless.
Policymakers often face difficult choices between maintaining a failing system or implementing reforms that may cause temporary hardship but promise long-term benefits.
According to the APC, the short-term challenges Nigerians experienced after the subsidy removal were an unavoidable part of the transition toward a more stable and productive economy.
The party maintained that the positive effects of the reforms are already beginning to emerge.
It pointed to recent economic indicators suggesting that Nigeria’s economy is gradually recovering.
The APC said Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.4 percent in the previous year and is projected to expand further to about 5.5 percent during the current fiscal period.
In addition, the country’s foreign reserves have reportedly risen above 50 billion dollars, the highest level recorded in nearly two decades.
Inflation, which surged following the policy changes, has also started to decline, according to the party. Officials believe the trend could continue as economic stability improves.
The APC added that Nigeria’s non-oil export sector has recorded progress, generating more than six billion dollars in revenue in 2025.
It also noted that state governments and local councils are now receiving higher revenue allocations, enabling them to fund development projects and strengthen governance at the grassroots level.
The ruling party further argued that these improvements in macroeconomic performance will gradually translate into job creation and better income opportunities for citizens.
Farmers and agricultural producers, it said, are already benefiting from improved market conditions and higher returns for their produce.
To cushion the effects of economic reforms, the Tinubu administration has introduced several social protection initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable households.
These programmes include cash transfer schemes for low-income families, a student loan programme to assist young Nigerians pursuing higher education, and the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) as a cheaper alternative for transportation.
According to the APC, these measures are designed to strengthen household resilience while the broader economic reforms take effect.
The party concluded by reaffirming that the government remains committed to policies that will stabilise the economy, reduce the poverty rate, and secure long-term prosperity for Nigerians.
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