The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign, accusing him of avoiding questions about his administration’s performance while directing personal attacks at opposition politicians.
The council challenged the President to explain his government’s record on public borrowing, electricity supply, insecurity, agriculture and the rising cost of living rather than repeat promises made during previous campaigns.
The allegations were contained in a press statement shared by the council’s Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, on his official X account, @officialKolaO.
ADC questions Tinubu’s campaign messages
The opposition campaign council described Tinubu’s recent campaign messages as divisive and lacking clear explanations of what his administration had achieved since assuming office in May 2023.
It accused the President of concentrating on political opponents instead of addressing Nigerians’ concerns about economic hardship and governance.
According to the council, the President’s campaign appearances in Kaduna, Rivers and Jigawa states had largely featured criticism of opponents and promises it considered repetitive.
The ADC-PCC maintained that Nigerians expected explanations about the country’s borrowings, the benefits of fuel subsidy removal, security challenges and the increasing cost of essential goods.
It argued that the government’s performance should form the foundation of Tinubu’s campaign for another term.
Opposition revisits Tinubu’s electricity promise
The council also challenged the President over his previous commitment to improving electricity supply.
It recalled Tinubu’s declaration during the 2023 presidential campaign:
“If I don’t give you electricity, don’t vote for me for a second term.”
The opposition group questioned whether the administration had fulfilled the pledge, citing persistent electricity supply challenges affecting households and businesses.
It further criticised renewed promises concerning electricity during the President’s campaign in Jigawa State.
According to the council, Nigerians deserved measurable improvements rather than additional assurances.
The criticism follows an earlier disagreement between the ADC-PCC and the ruling All Progressives Congress over the interpretation of Tinubu’s electricity pledge.
ADC raises questions over imported tractors
The council also questioned the implementation of the Federal Government’s agricultural mechanisation programme.
It asked the administration to explain what had happened to 2,000 tractors reportedly imported from Brazil to improve agricultural productivity.
The opposition group alleged that the equipment had yet to make a meaningful contribution to farming activities despite the government’s previous announcements.
It demanded greater clarity on the programme’s implementation and its impact on food production.
The council also accused the President of taking credit for infrastructure projects initiated during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
However, the statement did not provide a detailed project-by-project assessment supporting that allegation.
Council raises concerns over democratic institutions
Beyond economic and agricultural policies, the ADC-PCC alleged that the administration had exerted undue influence over government institutions.
It accused the President of undermining the independence of the National Assembly and attempting to interfere with the judiciary.
The council also criticised Tinubu’s reported declaration that “all is fair in politics,” arguing that such language could encourage political intimidation and disregard for established democratic procedures.
It maintained that political competition should operate within constitutional and legal boundaries.
The allegations concerning institutional interference were not accompanied by independently verified findings in the statement.
ADC questions President’s Rivers campaign remarks
The council also criticised Tinubu’s recent campaign appearance in Rivers State, where he reportedly praised a political figure involved in a dispute over public office.
The opposition group questioned the President’s decision to promise a reward to the individual, alleging that the circumstances surrounding the person’s removal from office raised constitutional concerns.
“Reward him for what?” the council asked.
It maintained that political leaders should respect established legal procedures and the rights of citizens to participate in elections.
Opposition demands accountability
The ADC-PCC concluded by urging the President to provide verifiable explanations of his administration’s performance.
It maintained that the 2027 election should focus on governance, economic conditions, public services and the competing policy proposals of political parties.
The council said Nigerians deserved leadership based on accountability, transparency and respect for public institutions.
The statement represents the opposition campaign council’s position on Tinubu’s re-election activities.
No specific response from the Presidency or the APC to this latest statement was included in the material available at the time of reporting.
