APC Knocks ADC Over Poverty Claim, Defends Tinubu’s Economic Reforms
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in press release e-signed by its national publicity secretary, Felix Morka accused the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of deliberately misleading Nigerians over claims that poverty has worsened under the current administration, insisting that the economic reforms introduced by Bola Ahmed Tinubu are already stabilizing and strengthening the nation’s economy.
In a press statement issued in Abuja on March 14, the APC described the opposition party’s interpretation of a report presented at the Agora Policy dialogue as “mischievous and politically motivated,” arguing that the ADC failed to acknowledge the necessity and long-term benefits of the administration’s reforms.
The party said the decision to remove fuel subsidy and harmonize Nigeria’s foreign exchange regime were bold but necessary steps to rescue the country from what it described as a looming economic collapse.
According to the statement, successive administrations had long recognized that the fuel subsidy and multiple foreign exchange systems posed serious threats to Nigeria’s fiscal stability but lacked the political will to implement the difficult reforms due to fears of short-term hardship for citizens.
The APC maintained that President Tinubu’s announcement of fuel subsidy removal during his inauguration on May 29, 2023, marked a historic turning point in Nigeria’s economic management, freeing the country from structural distortions that had drained public finances for decades.
The party noted that the subsidy regime consumed trillions of naira annually—sometimes accounting for up to 90 percent of government revenue—while primarily benefiting middlemen, import cartels, and cross-border fuel smugglers rather than ordinary Nigerians.
It stated that the removal of the subsidy has now created fiscal space for increased investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and social development programmes across the country.
Responding directly to the ADC’s criticism, the APC said the opposition had failed to present any viable alternative economic policy, accusing the party of focusing solely on condemning government actions without offering solutions.
The statement also argued that the economic reforms are beginning to yield measurable results, citing improvements in key macroeconomic indicators.
According to the APC, Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 4.4 percent in the past year and is projected to expand by 5.5 percent in the current fiscal year. The party also noted that the nation’s foreign reserves have risen to over $50 billion—its highest level in nearly two decades—while inflation has started trending downward.
It further stated that food inflation has dropped to its lowest level in about 13 years and that non-oil exports surpassed $6 billion in 2025, reflecting growing diversification of the economy.
The APC also highlighted increased revenue allocations to state and local governments, describing them as unprecedented and capable of driving development and effective governance at the grassroots level.
The party emphasized that the federal government has introduced several social protection programmes to cushion the temporary hardship caused by the reforms, including cash transfer schemes, student loan facilities, and the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives aimed at reducing transportation costs.
While acknowledging that economic reforms often come with short-term pain, the APC said the hardship being experienced by Nigerians is temporary and necessary for building a stronger and more resilient economy.
It commended Nigerians for what it described as their patience and patriotism in supporting the government’s reform agenda.
The ruling party reaffirmed that the Tinubu administration would remain committed to rebuilding the economy and ensuring long-term prosperity for present and future generations.
