The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued an evaluation of the state of the nation, claiming that democracy has failed to better the lives of ordinary Nigerians under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In an open letter to Nigerians on Democracy Day, the opposition party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated that the ultimate test of democracy is the impact it has on citizens’ lives rather than the number of years since military rule ended.
The party urged Nigerians to judge the country’s current situation by asking if they are safer, more prosperous, and more confident in their leadership than they were previously.
“Twenty-seven years after the return to democratic rule, and three years into the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, we ask you these simple questions: Is your life better today than in the past? Do you feel safer today than you felt in the past? Do you trust the government more than before?” the party asked.
“The answer to these questions is no doubt painfully clear: a resounding no,” it added.
The opposition party accused the APC-led administration of presiding over rising insecurity, economic hardship, and dwindling public trust in democratic institutions.
According to the ADC, insecurity has reached alarming levels throughout the country, with individuals increasingly vulnerable to violence, kidnappings, and criminal activity.
“Every single day, Nigerians are killed in their dozens and kidnapped in their hundreds. Bandits and other criminal elements openly negotiate for ransoms and set the terms of co-existence,” the party said.
“The most important job of a government is to protect the citizens. But is there any one of you today who believes that this government can protect anybody?”
The ADC argued that the inability of government to guarantee security has led to the displacement of communities, disruption of education, and growing fear among citizens.
“Government is getting weaker; criminals are getting stronger,” it added.
The opposition party also painted a bleak picture of the economy, saying millions of Nigerians are struggling under a severe cost-of-living crisis driven by rising prices of food, transportation, housing, healthcare, and education.
“Workers watch their incomes lose value. Small businesses struggle to survive. Parents make impossible choices between feeding their families, paying school fees, and meeting basic household needs,” the statement further read.
It also decried the predicament of young Nigerians, stating that many have been left without significant career possibilities, while others are increasingly looking for work abroad.
“Our young people, who should be the engine of national renewal and economic growth, increasingly confront a future defined by uncertainty. Many cannot find meaningful employment. Many others no longer see a future for themselves within our borders,” Abdullahi added.
The party stated that the challenges confronting the country are not unavoidable, insisting they are the direct consequences of poor leadership and ineffective policies.
“We believe that all the afflictions that we face as a people are direct manifestations of the affliction that the ruling party represents. Insecurity reflects their incompetence and indifference. Growing poverty reflects their wrong-headed economic policy that celebrates statistics but remains indifferent to human suffering,” it noted.
The ADC accused the administration of putting Nigerians through suffering while failing to deliver effective solutions to the country’s serious issues.
“This APC government has no solution to insecurity. All they have is condolence messages and empty threats to bandits and criminals. They have no solution to the cost of living crisis that is taking away your dignity. All they have is propaganda and more promises of a better life in the future,” Abdullahi stressed.
The party presented an alternative vision for the country, stating that security must become intelligence-led, technology-driven, and community-based, while economic policies should be aimed at eliminating hardship and enhancing residents’ well-being.
The ADC stated that security spending should be evaluated based on outcomes rather than fiscal allocations.
“Most importantly, we believe that security spending must be judged not by how much money is appropriated, but by whether citizens are safer. The measure of success is not the size of a budget. The measure of success is whether a farmer can return safely to his farm,” the ADC said.
Speaking on the economy, it pledged to pursue policies aimed at reducing the cost of energy, supporting small businesses, protecting low-income earners, and lowering food prices through improved agricultural productivity and food security measures.
The party also promised reforms to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public confidence in democratic institutions.
“We believe that government should once again be judged by results. Not by headlines. Not by speeches. Not by excuses. But are Nigerians safer? Whether Nigerians are more prosperous. And whether Nigerians can once again believe that their country is moving in the right direction,” it added.
The ADC emphasized that the greatest approach to honoring the sacrifices of the June 12 democratic fight is to reflect honestly on the situation of the nation and commit to constructing a democracy that provides security, prosperity, and opportunity for all Nigerians.
