The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has asked the All Progressives Congress (APC) to dismantle what it describes as “unlawful campaign infrastructure” for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier cautioned political parties and aspirants against early campaigns, warning that such activities are illegal under the Electoral Act.
In a recent statement issued by Bolaji Abdullahi, interim publicity secretary of the ADC, accused the ruling party of neglecting Nigeria’s economic and security crises in pursuit of Tinubu’s re-election.
Abdullahi said Nigeria’s economic indicators have deteriorated since Tinubu took office, accusing the APC of failing to address the worsening power sector crisis.
“For months now, organs of the APC have staged rallies and unveiled billboards endorsing President Tinubu for a second term — from Abuja to Port Harcourt, Minna, Kano, and Akure,” the statement reads.
“These stage-managed endorsements blatantly ignore INEC’s reminder that public campaigning is unlawful until 150 days before the election.
“While the APC chants four more years, food prices have soared, transport has become unaffordable, and many households can no longer pay rent.
“Headline inflation, which stood at 22 percent in 2023, hit a 30-year high of almost 35 percent in December, and remains above 22 percent today.
“The naira has plunged from ₦461 to over ₦1,500 against the dollar, crushing savings and suffocating small businesses.
“Petrol, which sold for ₦185 per litre before subsidy removal, now costs over ₦1,000 — turning basic mobility into a daily nightmare.”
On insecurity, the ADC said Nigerians are being abducted in droves while the president is focused on politics.
“Between April and June, over 3,100 killings were recorded nationwide. These included 1,865 civilians and 122 security personnel,” the party said.
“Only last Friday, more than 50 people were kidnapped in Sabon Gari Dirmi, Zamfara — yet instead of action, our streets are lined with campaign posters.
“In 2023, the national grid collapsed 12 times and has failed multiple times this year. Despite promises, Nigeria still lives in darkness.
“Corruption remains rampant, and the country’s ranking in press freedom has dropped by 10 places within a year. Journalists are under growing pressure.”
The ADC spokesperson said the ruling party has built a “digital army of propagandists” rather than solving problems.
“Nigerians are hungry, sick, and terrified. Yet the government is more concerned with controlling narratives than fixing reality,” he added.
“The ADC therefore demands that the APC dismantle its unlawful campaign machinery, respect the law it swore to uphold, and focus on rescuing Nigerians from grinding inflation, a battered naira, rampant insecurity, and collapsing public services.
“Until the lawful campaign window opens, every political billboard is a billboard of illegality and should be removed as they are campaign materials.”
Abdullahi added that the ADC will continue to hold the government accountable in the public square, and, when the time comes, at the ballot box.
