Rauf Aregbesola, national secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has described President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda as a “scam.”
Aregbesola spoke on Tuesday at the party’s national convention in Abuja, where he said the promises made by the Tinubu administration have yet to materialise nearly three years into its tenure.
The former Osun State governor accused the Tinubu administration of deepening Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.
“Four years ago, this government promised Nigerians renewed hope. Now, three years into its tenure, it is still promising renewed hope. When exactly will this hope come to fruition? The answer is simple: it is a scam,” Aregbesola said.
“If allowed, this regime will continue to chant renewed hope indefinitely. We have a duty to stop these scammers from retaining power.”
He cited worsening poverty and education indicators as evidence of governance failure.
Aregbesola claimed that the number of out-of-school children has risen from 18.3 million to 20 million, while about 130 million Nigerians are now classified as multidimensionally poor.
He also criticised the federal government’s handling of insecurity, particularly its response to attacks by bandits and terrorists across the country.
“This has been the worst period in terms of security in the nation, with banditry and terrorism spreading across the country,” he said.
“But we are also concerned about the lack of empathy shown by the president after the 2025 Yelwata massacre in Benue State. During a condolence visit, the president did not visit the affected community; rather, he stayed at the government house.”
The former governor further argued that Nigeria risks being governed by what he termed “the least qualified,” warning against what he described as a drift towards kakistocracy.
“We cannot allow kakistocracy in Nigeria,” he said, adding that the administration should be held accountable to its own commitments, particularly on power supply.
“The government once said it should not be voted for if it fails to provide electricity. An honest president would step down rather than seek re-election under such circumstances,” he added.
On party matters, Aregbesola defended the leadership of David Mark as chairman of the ADC, insisting that due process was followed and that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had been duly notified.
“Nobody has the locus standi to challenge the leadership of David Mark. Our last NEC meeting was observed by INEC officials, and the report was formally submitted and acknowledged by the commission,” he said.
Aregbesola also accused INEC of partisanship and alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is unsettled by the growing strength of the ADC.
“The ADC is now the largest opposition platform with major political actors. It is clear that the APC is jittery,” he added.
“We call on the international community to take note of INEC’s biased actions.”
