The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the state of governance in Nigeria, arguing that democracy has yet to deliver meaningful improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
In an open Democracy Day message signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party said the success of democracy should be measured by its impact on citizens rather than the number of years since the return to civilian rule.
The ADC urged Nigerians to reflect on whether their lives, security, and confidence in government have improved over time.
“Twenty-seven years after the return to democratic rule, and three years into the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, we ask you these simple questions: Is your life better today than in the past? Do you feel safer today than you felt in the past? Do you trust the government more than before?”
“The answer to these questions is no doubt painfully clear: a resounding no,” it added.
The party accused the ruling APC of overseeing worsening insecurity, economic difficulties, and declining trust in public institutions. It argued that citizens across the country continue to face threats from kidnappings, banditry, and other forms of criminality.
“Every single day, Nigerians are killed in their dozens and kidnapped in their hundreds. Bandits and other criminal elements openly negotiate for ransoms and set the terms of co-existence,” the party said.
“The most important job of a government is to protect the citizens. But is there any one of you today who believes that this government can protect anybody?”
The ADC maintained that insecurity has forced many communities from their homes, disrupted education, and created widespread fear.
“Government is getting weaker; criminals are getting stronger,” it added.
On the economy, the party said many Nigerians are struggling with rising living costs, including increases in food prices, transportation, housing, healthcare, and education expenses. It also expressed concern about unemployment and the growing number of young people seeking opportunities outside the country.
“Our young people, who should be the engine of national renewal and economic growth, increasingly confront a future defined by uncertainty. Many cannot find meaningful employment. Many others no longer see a future for themselves within our borders,” Abdullahi added.
The opposition party argued that the country’s challenges are the result of poor leadership and policy failures rather than unavoidable circumstances.
“We believe that all the afflictions that we face as a people are direct manifestations of the affliction that the ruling party represents. Insecurity reflects their incompetence and indifference. Growing poverty reflects their wrong-headed economic policy that celebrates statistics but remains indifferent to human suffering,” it noted.
The ADC further accused the government of responding to national challenges with rhetoric instead of practical solutions.
“This APC government has no solution to insecurity. All they have is condolence messages and empty threats to bandits and criminals. They have no solution to the cost of living crisis that is taking away your dignity. All they have is propaganda and more promises of a better life in the future,” Abdullahi stressed.
Presenting its alternative vision, the party advocated intelligence-led, technology-driven, and community-based security strategies, alongside economic policies aimed at lowering living costs, supporting small businesses, reducing energy expenses, and boosting food production.
“Most importantly, we believe that security spending must be judged not by how much money is appropriated, but by whether citizens are safer. The measure of success is not the size of a budget. The measure of success is whether a farmer can return safely to his farm,” the ADC said.
The party also called for reforms to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public trust in democratic institutions.
“We believe that government should once again be judged by results. Not by headlines. Not by speeches. Not by excuses. But by whether Nigerians are safer. Whether Nigerians are more prosperous. And whether Nigerians can once again believe that their country is moving in the right direction,” it added.
The ADC concluded that the best tribute to the sacrifices of the June 12 struggle is to build a democracy that guarantees security, prosperity, and opportunity for all Nigerians.
