By Micheal John ABUJA —
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has cautioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prepare for a tough electoral battle in 2027, warning that millions of Nigerians grappling with hardship and insecurity could determine his political future.
In a strongly worded statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party said the next general election is increasingly shaping into a referendum on the living conditions of Nigerians rather than a routine political contest.
The ADC was reacting to remarks made by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, where he dismissed the opposition and mocked their activities, including claims that they held a convention “on the street.”According to the party, the President’s comments reflect a troubling disconnect from the realities faced by citizens.
“What Nigerians saw was not the confidence of a leader in control, but the anxiety of a President increasingly out of touch with hardship, insecurity, and frustration across the country,” the statement read.
The party expressed concern that such remarks came at a time when many Nigerians are struggling with soaring living costs, food inflation, rising debt, and declining purchasing power.
“At a time when families are battling a historic cost-of-living crisis, the President chose to ridicule the opposition instead of addressing the suffering of Nigerians,” the ADC stated.
It also pointed to worsening insecurity, citing reports of abductions, including incidents involving schoolchildren, as evidence of a deteriorating safety environment.
The ADC urged the President to take public sentiment more seriously, warning that widespread dissatisfaction could shape the outcome of the 2027 polls.
“The President should not be ridiculing the opposition. He should be concerned that many Nigerians have rejected policies that have worsened their living conditions.
These are the reasons he should be worried, because citizens are determined to vote for change,” the party added.Addressing claims about its National Convention, the ADC dismissed assertions that the event was held on the street, insisting such narratives were misleading.
“If such information was relayed to the President, then he has been misinformed. However, even if any opposition gathering were forced outdoors, Nigerians would understand, given the shrinking democratic space under the current administration,” it said.
The party further alleged that access to public venues such as the Eagle Square has become increasingly restricted for opposition groups, describing the trend as a setback for democratic practice.
On governance, the ADC accused the President of undermining the principle of separation of powers, arguing that his actions blur constitutional boundaries.
“The President cannot claim to respect separation of powers while acting as political referee and legal interpreter at the same time,” the statement noted, adding that institutions meant to provide checks and balances, particularly the legislature, appear weakened.
The party also criticised what it described as the President’s recent overtures toward supporters of former President Muhammadu Buhari, calling it a political shift driven by electoral considerations.
According to the ADC, the core issues confronting the country remain unchanged.“Hardship is rising, insecurity is worsening, debt is mounting, and hope is fading.
No amount of political rhetoric can obscure that reality,” it said. The party reaffirmed its commitment to presenting what it described as a credible alternative focused on economic recovery, security, and democratic governance, insisting that Nigerians deserve better leadership.
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