The African Democratic Congress has said that President Bola Tinubu must be removed from office for Nigeria to overcome what it described as a deepening governance crisis.
The party’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, made the assertion on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, insisting that meaningful national recovery is impossible under the current administration.
“That is the agenda and not about the interests of Nigeria. There is no scenario where he remains in power, and we are able to save this country,” Abdullahi said.
The former minister argued that the country has been taken over by people with what he described as a bandit mindset, which he claimed mirrors the governing style of the present leadership.
“When people say you can smash it, grab it, and run with it, that is the language of banditry,” he stated.
Abdullahi also expressed concern over what he alleged to be manipulation within the legislative process, particularly in relation to tax legislation, describing the situation as without precedent in Nigeria’s democratic experience.
He accused the government of falsifying laws that had already been passed by the National Assembly, questioning the seriousness of such an allegation.
“A government that can forge a duly passed law; what do you call that?” he asked.
Commenting on reports that the Federal Government spent $9 million on foreign lobbyists in the United States to improve Nigeria’s image among American officials, including President Donald Trump, Abdullahi raised questions about transparency and due process.
“How was this contract awarded? How was the money paid? Who paid the money? What budget line was it taken from? How was the money transferred out of Nigeria?” he said.
He argued that the spending reflected distorted priorities, suggesting that channeling the same funds into domestic security would be more beneficial than attempting to reassure foreign governments about Nigeria’s safety.
“They don’t care whether Nigerians are still dying. They don’t care that people are still being killed. They just want to look good before Americans,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC spokesperson further voiced concern over a medical memorandum of understanding reportedly signed between Nigeria and the United States around December 19, claiming it gives the US extensive control over how funds are allocated despite Nigeria contributing more financially.
“No Nigerians have seen the details of this MOU,” he said, describing the agreement as troubling and raising concerns about national sovereignty and accountability.
