The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, claiming its renewed focus on food security is driven more by political pressure than genuine concern for Nigerians.
In a statement on Sunday, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi alleged that the government’s recent agricultural reforms were a reaction to the rising influence of opposition coalitions, rather than a response to the growing hunger crisis in the country.
President Tinubu, through his media adviser Bayo Onanuga, recently announced plans to remove obstacles to agricultural growth especially in livestock production as part of broader efforts to ensure food sovereignty and increase exports.
However, the ADC dismissed the announcement as a politically motivated move.
“Onanuga’s statement wasn’t a policy declaration it was an admission,” Abdullahi said. “The government stood by while millions went hungry. Now, under political pressure, it wants praise for finally acting.”
He described the administration’s response as a “panic move,” driven by fear of electoral defeat rather than empathy for suffering citizens.
“This isn’t leadership it’s fear. Fear of a growing, united opposition. Fear of 2027,” Abdullahi continued. “The hunger of Nigerians didn’t prompt this response political survival did.”
The ADC accused the government of deliberately ignoring poverty until public opinion shifted against it, arguing the sudden urgency was aimed at salvaging its image ahead of the next election.
“They’ve weaponized poverty for years,” the statement said. “Now, with elections on the horizon, they want to reverse course not to help Nigerians, but to protect their political future.”
The party urged Nigerians to remain critical and not be swayed by what it called “staged press releases and newfound concern.”
“This isn’t governance,” Abdullahi concluded. “It’s desperation.”
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