The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a strong critique of Nigeria’s democratic journey, saying that 27 years after the return to civilian rule, governance has not translated into improved living conditions for ordinary citizens under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

In a Democracy Day statement marking June 12, 2026, the opposition party said the key benchmarks of democracy—security, economic welfare, and public trust in government—had all deteriorated rather than improved.

The statement, signed by ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, posed a series of questions to Nigerians, asking whether life, safety, and confidence in government had improved over time. The party concluded that the answers were negative.

“Twenty-seven years after the return to democratic rule, and three years into the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC), we ask: Is your life better today than in the past? Do you feel safer today than before? Do you trust the government more than before?” the statement read.

It added: “The answer to these questions is a resounding no.”

The ADC accused the ruling APC government of presiding over worsening economic hardship, pointing to inflationary pressures linked to recent fiscal reforms, including subsidy removal and currency adjustments. It argued that these policies had intensified the cost of living and deepened poverty across the country.

The opposition party also raised concerns over insecurity, citing rising cases of banditry, kidnappings, and insurgency in several regions, which it said had further eroded public confidence in state institutions.

According to the ADC, the combined impact of economic hardship and insecurity has weakened trust in key democratic structures, including the judiciary, security agencies, and electoral bodies, leaving many citizens disillusioned with governance.

The party further described Nigeria’s democratic system as increasingly disconnected from the needs of ordinary citizens, arguing that it has become skewed in favour of political and economic elites.

“The core essence of democracy is the welfare and security of the people,” the statement said. “When a government fails to protect its citizens or provide an environment where they can feed their families, the very foundation of its democratic legitimacy is undermined.”

The ADC’s criticism came shortly after President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide Democracy Day address, in which he acknowledged economic challenges but defended his administration’s reforms as necessary for long-term stability.

In his speech, Tinubu highlighted improvements in non-oil revenue performance, increased security funding, and recruitment plans for additional police personnel as part of efforts to strengthen national security and economic resilience.

The President urged Nigerians to remain patient with ongoing reforms, insisting that sustained efforts would yield long-term benefits.

“Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it,” Tinubu said, calling for national unity amid political differences.

The exchange underscores growing political tensions ahead of the 2027 election cycle, with opposition parties increasingly focusing on economic hardship and security challenges as central campaign issues.