The Presidential Campaign Council of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has censured President Bola Tinubu’s administration for failing the populace, asserting that the handout of currency, edibles, and presents at political rallies fails to redeem public faith in the leadership. Released on Wednesday via a communique endorsed by Phrank Shaibu, its Director of Strategic Communication, the opposition group alleged that the governing party is striving to fabricate political backing via monetary incentives ahead of the upcoming electoral cycle.
The council highlighted that the dissemination of funds and commodities was profoundly tone-deaf during an era when vast numbers of citizens grapple with escalating inflation and severe difficulties in securing basic provisions. The opposition coalition pointed to documented instances of upscale automobiles allegedly handed to ruling party female coordinators, alongside funds and prepared meals distributed via the City Boy Movement under the auspices of the president's offspring. Furthermore, they referenced circulating video recordings depicting a prominent female operative of the All Progressives Congress sharing currency notes and textile materials.
What did the opposition demand from authorities?
The ADC campaign organ formally petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent National Electoral Commission to probe the documented distributions and enforce statutory penalties if violations of currency or electoral statutes occurred. The statement queried perceived discrepancies in how regular citizens versus political actors are treated regarding alleged currency abuse.
“The pattern is becoming impossible to ignore. From reports of luxury vehicles presented to APC women leaders, to cash and cooked food distributed by the President’s son through the City Boy Movement, and now videos circulating of an APC women leader handing out money and fabrics, the ruling party appears to be treating political support as something that can be bought,” the declaration stated.
How has the administration performed, according to the ADC?
The opposition body contended that the Tinubu government possesses minimal tangible achievements after spending over three years in power, pointing to severe economic adversity, worsening security conditions, and escalating national borrowing. According to the coalition, distributing material incentives during political assemblies fails to obliterate the financial hardships citizens have endured under the present regime.
“The Tinubu administration has pushed millions deeper into poverty, while Nigerians continue to demand answers about the scale, terms and use of government borrowing. Cash, gifts and staged displays cannot conceal a record of failure,” the group maintained. The council concluded by emphasizing that the electorate remains resolute in deciding the nation's political trajectory exclusively through the ballot, warning that no magnitude of financial inducement can compel public endorsement of a struggling administration.