ADC tackles APC over ‘inciting’ allegation, says Nigerians are in pain

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has fired back at the All Progressives Congress (APC) over accusations that its recent comments on Nigeria’s rising poverty rate were intended to incite the public, insisting that it is merely giving voice to the growing frustration of ordinary Nigerians.

The party said its statements were based on the harsh economic realities facing citizens and should not be misconstrued as an attempt to provoke unrest.

In a statement on Sunday by Bolaji Abdullahi, its National Publicity Secretary, the party said the data highlighting worsening poverty and economic hardship in the country are not opposition propaganda but widely reported facts.

BusinessDay reports that the ADC had flayed the President Bola Tinubu’s Administration over the rising poverty figures in the Country. But reacting, the APC said the opposition party was inciting Nigerians against the Government.

However, responding on Sunday, the ADC maintained that economic reforms should ultimately be judged by their impact on citizens’ well-being, urging the government to focus on policies that genuinely improve the lives of Nigerians.

According to the ADC, Nigerians are grappling with unprecedented economic pressure, including soaring fuel prices, rising food costs and a weakening purchasing power, which have pushed millions deeper into poverty.

The party argued that available data shows that millions of Nigerians have been pushed deeper into poverty since the fuel subsidy removal was introduced.

The ADC also cited surveys showing that 93% of Nigerians believe the country is heading in the wrong direction, while 88 percent describe the economy as bad and 74 percent saying their personal living conditions are poor.

“These are not opposition talking points. They are the voices of ordinary Nigerians,” the statement said.

The party further noted that while the APC describes current hardship as temporary, available figures suggest widespread economic distress. It pointed out that fuel prices have surged by nearly 500%—from about N255 per litre in May 2023 to around N1,500 in many parts of the country—triggering higher transport costs and escalating food prices.

The ADC added that Nigeria’s food import bill has nearly doubled, rising from N3.83 trillion in 2023 to N7.65 trillion, which it said reflects weakening domestic agricultural production, arguing that highlighting these challenges is not incitement but a reflection of the daily experiences of citizens struggling to survive.