The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government of deliberately exploiting poverty and hunger for political advantage.
In a statement issued by its spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu for allegedly spreading false claims about increased local food production and falling food prices.
The ADC said it is alarmed by what it described as the “Federal Government’s misleading narrative around the so-called drop in food prices.”
“Contrary to what is being celebrated in official circles, the reality on the ground, as confirmed by struggling farmers and families across the country, is that the Tinubu government is manipulating food prices and weaponising hunger for political gain.”
Abdullahi stated that the reported reduction in food costs is “artificial,” driven by import waivers that have flooded the market with cheap foreign goods. He warned that while this may offer short-term relief, it undermines local farmers struggling with high production costs, insecurity, and inflation.
The ADC further argued that “any current drop in price is temporary, unsustainable, and driven by panic, not strategy or deliberate planning.”
“This is propaganda. What we are witnessing is a deliberate manipulation of food prices for short-term political gain, designed to create the illusion of economic progress while citizens continue to suffer,” the statement read.
The party also questioned the government’s denial of releasing imported food into the market.
“If we are to even momentarily entertain this falsehood, it begs an even more damning question: why is the government hoarding food while the people go hungry? What sort of administration stores food in warehouses during a hunger crisis?”
The ADC urged the government to “end the weaponisation of hunger” and called for a complete reform of Nigeria’s agricultural policies to ensure transparency, sustainability, and food security.