ADC Slams Tinubu's Social Fund Amidst Subsidy Debate, Citing Lost Public Trust

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has vehemently criticized the federal government's recently announced $1 billion social protection programme, labeling it a cynical attempt by President Bola Tinubu to regain public support ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to the ADC, this initiative is a desperate reaction to the earlier proposal by its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who advocated for targeted production subsidies to alleviate the cost of living.

In a statement released by its national publicity secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC accused the Tinubu administration of causing widespread economic hardship and impoverishing millions through policies such as the removal of fuel subsidy. The party argued that the government's sudden decision to introduce a significant social protection fund is an implicit admission of the suffering inflicted by its economic reforms.

The ADC highlighted a perceived inconsistency, noting that for three years, the government insisted on a lack of funds to cushion the effects of its reforms, despite Nigerians struggling with exorbitant food prices, transport costs, and diminished purchasing power. The party questioned the sudden availability of $1 billion for social protection as elections approach, asking, "If the government could somehow conjure up this money, why did it remain indifferent to the suffering of Nigerians for three years? Or did the poor only become visible when their votes became valuable?"

Furthermore, the ADC asserted that this development vindicates Atiku Abubakar's earlier proposal for a targeted production subsidy. They argued that Atiku's plan aimed to reduce production costs and ultimately lower consumer prices, offering a more sustainable solution than mere temporary relief. The party alleged that the Tinubu administration had previously dismissed any form of subsidy as unfeasible, only to contradict itself with the new billion-dollar programme designed to mitigate the consequences of its own "evil policies."

The opposition party stated that Nigerians would not easily forget the hardship caused by the administration's reforms, which have led to soaring food, fuel, transport, and energy costs. The ADC also raised serious concerns about the effectiveness and accountability of past social intervention programmes, citing claims by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs regarding the disbursement of over N600 billion in cash transfers to more than 10 million households over three years. The party demanded transparent evidence of beneficiaries, measurable impact, and independent verification of these figures, expressing worries about weak social registers and corruption undermining previous interventions.

The ADC further challenged the federal government to explain how the new $1 billion programme would avoid the systemic problems that plagued earlier interventions. The party also viewed the proposed N40,000 payment per family under the programme with suspicion, describing it as a potential vote-buying tactic for the 2027 elections. They contended that a government whose reforms have severely eroded purchasing power through increased costs cannot credibly offer a one-off N40,000 payment cynically tagged as a "shock-response payment."

Questions were also directed at the role of First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu in launching the programme. The ADC demanded clarity on whether it is a Federal Government initiative or a project of the First Lady, and sought details regarding its funding source, budgetary provision, approval process, and the designated accounting authority. They specifically asked about the statutory authority of the Office of the First Lady over these public funds.

While expressing support for genuine efforts to protect vulnerable Nigerians, the ADC maintained that palliatives are not a substitute for robust policies that restore purchasing power, stimulate production, and genuinely improve living standards. The party concluded by asserting that the 2027 election will present Nigerians with a critical choice: a government preoccupied with managing poverty or an alternative committed to addressing the root causes of economic hardship. The ADC urged the Tinubu administration to acknowledge that "reform without relief is not courage; it is cruelty," echoing Atiku's earlier stance.