By| Goodluck E.Adubazi | Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a strongly worded birthday message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, combining formal well-wishes with a sweeping critique of his administration’s performance.
In the statement released on Sunday, the opposition party acknowledged the President’s new age milestone but emphasized what it described as the “undeniable realities” facing Nigerians under his leadership.
According to the ADC, fuel prices have surged by nearly 500% during Tinubu’s tenure, placing severe strain on citizens and transforming everyday transportation into what it called “a daily calculation of survival.”
The party also raised alarm over Nigeria’s security situation, noting the country’s position as 4th on the Global Terrorism Index. It cited widespread violence, loss of lives, and displacement of communities, claiming that “every hour, a Nigerian is killed by insurgents.”
The statement further criticized the government’s handling of insecurity, accusing the administration of using language that “blurs accountability,” particularly in references to perpetrators of violence.
On the economic front, the ADC argued that the rising cost of living has deepened hardship across the country, adding that the administration’s “Renewed Hope” agenda has instead resulted in “hopelessness for millions of Nigerian families.”
Concerns about Nigeria’s democratic space were also highlighted, with the party warning of a “steady drift toward a one-party state,” which it said threatens the nation’s hard-earned democratic progress.
Despite the criticism, the ADC framed its message as a moment for reflection, urging the President, as he enters what it described as his final year in office, to prioritize governance, demonstrate accountability, and address the nation’s pressing challenges.
The statement concluded with a measured birthday wish, expressing hope for “good health, improved judgment, and a renewed sense of responsibility” in leading Africa’s most populous nation.
