The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of weaponizing poverty across all segments of society.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Effiong Efa Nyong, stated that Tinubu’s policies have ushered in an era of hardship for Nigerians, describing it as a “second wave of slavery” where poverty is being weaponized.
According to the statement, the removal of petroleum subsidy, a decision made early in Tinubu’s presidency, has been cited as a key factor in the current economic hardship.
This move triggered a significant increase in petrol prices and transportation costs, further exacerbated by the depreciation of the Naira and rising inflation.
The ADC condemned the government’s consistent increase in tariffs across various sectors, including electricity, transportation, communication, healthcare, and education.
“Multiple taxation has also become a norm,” according to the party, placing additional burdens on Nigerians.
Nyong lamented that the past decade of APC rule has seen Nigerians suffer “terrible hardship without any comparable development, state-sponsored intimidation, recklessness, harassment, sex scandals, judicial somersaults, and legislative compromises akin to George Orwell’s Animal Farm”.
The opposition party questioned the fulfillment of promises made by Tinubu’s administration, citing economic growth, good governance, and national unity as areas of concern.
“What happened to the promises of good governance, economic growth, and national unity? Two years into the reign of the ‘messiah,’ our economy lies in shambles, the family unit is disintegrating, ritual killings are on the rise, and repentant terrorists now help massacre our sons and daughters, both on the battlefield and at home.
“One thing, however, the government does consistently: it lies. Propaganda, wrapped in boldness”, the party stated.