By Osaretin Osadebamwen
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected claims that the hardship Nigerians are experiencing as a result of economic reforms was inevitable, blaming policy choices by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the suffering.
ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made the assertion during a television interview while discussing the economic impact of the Tinubu administration’s reforms.
Abdullahi argued that Nigerians should not be told that the current hardship was unavoidable because government had alternative policy choices available when it assumed office.
“The suffering you talked about was not inevitable,” Abdullahi said.
“It wasn’t caused by God. It was caused because people made wrong choices,” he added.
His comments came during a debate over the government’s economic scorecard and whether Nigerians are benefiting from reforms implemented since President Bola Tinubu assumed office.
Abdullahi acknowledged that the administration could point to some improvements at the macroeconomic level but argued that those gains had failed to sufficiently translate into better living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.
He challenged the government’s reliance on indicators such as economic growth, arguing that macroeconomic stability alone does not guarantee improved welfare for citizens.
According to him, deliberate policies are required to ensure that vulnerable Nigerians benefit from economic growth through lower living costs, jobs and targeted interventions.
He said the idea that economic growth would automatically lift everyone had been discredited, stressing that government must deliberately protect citizens who are most affected by rising prices.
Abdullahi also questioned the deployment of savings reportedly generated from the removal of fuel subsidy, demanding greater transparency over how the funds were used.
He maintained that the ADC’s economic philosophy places the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerians at the centre of government policy.
The comments set up another major political argument ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the ADC seeking to contrast its proposed economic policies with those of the ruling APC.
