The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently review his administration’s economic policies or resign, arguing that worsening hardship and poverty have left millions of Nigerians struggling to survive.
The opposition party made the call while reacting to recent multidimensional poverty figures, claiming that about 139 million Nigerians are trapped in poverty and accusing the Federal Government of failing to implement policies that improve citizens’ living conditions. The 139 million figure is based on the National Bureau of Statistics’ Multidimensional Poverty Index, which measures deprivation beyond income, including access to education, healthcare, sanitation and living standards.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the country could no longer afford what it described as ineffective economic management, insisting that the administration must either change course or accept responsibility for the deteriorating welfare of Nigerians.
According to the party, rising inflation, high food prices, unemployment and declining purchasing power have deepened poverty across the country, despite government assurances that ongoing economic reforms will yield long-term benefits. The ADC argued that economic growth should be measured by improvements in the quality of life of ordinary citizens rather than macroeconomic indicators alone.
The party maintained that governance should focus on reducing poverty, creating jobs and restoring public confidence in the economy. It added that policies that fail to translate into tangible improvements in citizens’ welfare should be reviewed without delay.
The latest criticism comes amid sustained attacks by the ADC on the Tinubu administration over the country’s economic situation. Earlier this month, the party cited a United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) assessment indicating that more than 17 million people across nine conflict-affected states in northern Nigeria are facing acute food insecurity. The ADC attributed the situation to insecurity, displacement of farming communities and what it described as failed economic policies.
The Federal Government has consistently defended its economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market, arguing that although the measures have imposed short-term hardships, they are necessary to stabilise the economy, attract investment and lay the foundation for sustainable growth.
Government officials have also pointed to improvements in key macroeconomic indicators and ongoing social intervention programmes, maintaining that the reforms will ultimately deliver broad-based economic benefits. However, opposition parties and labour groups continue to argue that many Nigerians are yet to experience meaningful relief from the rising cost of living.
