The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said President Bola Tinubu should be worried about his chances in the 2027 general elections, insisting that his real challenge lies not with political opponents but with millions of Nigerians grappling with abject poverty and insecurity.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi on Friday, the party described the President’s recent comments about the opposition as “unpresidential” and indicative of a leader disconnected from the realities facing citizens.
Tinubu had reportedly mocked opposition parties, suggesting they were disorganised and incapable of mounting a serious challenge.
However, the ADC dismissed the remarks, arguing that they reflected anxiety rather than confidence.
“What Nigerians saw was not the confidence of a leader in control. It was the anxiety of a President increasingly disconnected from the reality of hardship, insecurity, and frustration facing millions of citizens,” the statement noted.
The party criticised the President for focusing on political rhetoric at a time of worsening economic conditions, rising inflation, and insecurity across the country.
“At a time when families are battling a historic cost-of-living crisis, food inflation, and collapsing purchasing power, the President chose to mock the opposition instead of addressing the suffering of Nigerians,” Abdullahi stated.
The ADC also rejected claims that its recent national convention was held “on the street,” insisting that such narratives were misleading and possibly the result of misinformation.
It further alleged that the current administration has shrunk Nigeria’s democratic space, claiming that opposition parties are increasingly denied access to public venues for political activities.
“No government before now had denied political parties fair access to public venues such as Eagle Square, which belongs to all Nigerians,” the party said.
The statement also accused the President of overstepping constitutional boundaries, particularly in matters relating to the interpretation of legal and judicial issues, warning that such actions undermine the principle of separation of powers.
The ADC maintained that growing hardship, insecurity, and economic challenges would ultimately shape voter decisions.
“The issue before the country today is simple: hardship is rising, insecurity is worsening, debt is mounting, and hope is fading. No amount of political theatre can hide that truth,” the party added.
The party reiterated its commitment to building what it described as a credible alternative platform ahead of the next general elections.
