The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has accused President Bola Tinubu of going into panic mode ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the Federal Government’s proposed N50,000 monthly cash relief as an election gimmick.
The opposition party alleged that the announcement was driven by Tinubu’s desperation to regain public support following its promise to reduce the cost of living and make life more affordable for Nigerians if elected in 2027.
The ADC stated this in a press statement issued on Saturday, October 31, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.
The party argued that the timing of the proposed intervention raised questions about the government’s intentions, insisting that it was a reaction to the opposition’s campaign promises rather than a genuine effort to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.
“President Tinubu is in full panic mode now. Since the ADC and our Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, have made affordability and reducing the cost of living the cardinal focus of our campaign, the government has been announcing one desperate intervention or another,” Abdullahi said.
He recalled previous government announcements, including the $1 billion Renewed Hope Social Intervention Fund in August, a 30-day fuel discount, cheaper transportation promised across states from October 1, and a N70,000 transportation allowance for workers.
According to the ADC spokesman, most of the announced interventions had failed to produce tangible results, describing the latest N50,000 cash relief as another attempt by the administration to win public sympathy.
The party also questioned the value of the proposed payment amid rising prices of food, transportation, petrol and essential medicines.
“What exactly is N50,000 supposed to buy in Tinubu’s Nigeria today? How much food can a family purchase with that amount? How much transport can it cover? And for how long?” the statement queried.
The ADC maintained that the amount was insufficient to address the economic difficulties facing ordinary Nigerians, describing the proposed intervention as “too little, too late.”
It further accused the Tinubu administration of mismanaging its economic reforms and ignoring warnings about the hardship they would impose on Nigerians.
The party argued that the government should have incorporated financial relief for vulnerable citizens into its economic reform plans from the beginning rather than introducing cash payments close to an election.
“If they could give N50,000 to vulnerable Nigerians, why didn’t they factor it into reform plans from day one rather than make it an election-season handout?” the statement added.
The opposition party also raised concerns about transparency and accountability in the management of government intervention funds, warning that the latest programme could provide another opportunity for the diversion of public resources.
It cited findings by the Auditor-General concerning billions of naira in previous cash transfers that were allegedly not properly accounted for.
The ADC challenged the Federal Government to explain what happened to the previous intervention funds and disclose whether those responsible for any financial irregularities had been held accountable.
“How can a government that has failed to explain what happened to its previous intervention funds expect Nigerians to trust it with another programme involving billions of naira?” the party asked.
