Tinubu Cannot Set 90-Day Deadline for Hunger, ADC Campaign Council Says
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposed 90-day economic action plan, describing it as an election-driven promise designed to win votes rather than provide lasting relief to Nigerians.
Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, made the position known in a press briefing dated October 23, 2026, arguing that the timeline of the initiative raises questions about the government’s commitment to addressing the country’s cost-of-living crisis.
Shaibu noted that with the presidential election approaching in 86 days, the 90-day plan announced by the National Economic Council would extend beyond the election, accusing the administration of asking Nigerians to wait for relief until after voting.
He described the initiative as “election bait and a scam,” arguing that Nigerians should judge the Tinubu administration by its performance over the past three and a half years rather than accept fresh promises shortly before the polls.
The plan identifies five priority areas: food affordability, tax harmonisation, completion of key projects, removal of investment bottlenecks and support for households.
However, the ADC campaign spokesman questioned why these issues were only receiving renewed attention after years of rising living costs, declining purchasing power and pressure on households and businesses.
He argued that the removal of the petrol subsidy increased transportation, food and production costs, insisting that adequate support for vulnerable households and businesses should have accompanied the policy.
According to him, the government imposed the immediate burden of the reforms on Nigerians without providing sufficient assurances that the promised benefits would reach ordinary citizens.
ADC questions Tinubu’s response to Kaduna tragedies
Shaibu also criticised the President’s expected visit to Kaduna State to launch his re-election campaign, recalling several incidents of civilian deaths, abductions and natural disasters that have affected communities in the state.
He cited the December 3, 2023, military drone strike in Tudun Biri, where at least 85 people were killed during a Maulud gathering, and questioned the President’s absence from the community to personally console bereaved families.
He also referenced a reported military airstrike in Giwa in September 2024, attacks and abductions in Kajuru, and a September 2025 incident involving kidnapping in Kachia.
The ADC spokesman further highlighted the effects of windstorms, rainfall and flooding in parts of Kaduna State in 2025, arguing that affected communities needed sustained government attention and assistance.
He questioned the timing of Tinubu’s campaign visit, contrasting it with what he described as the need for greater presidential engagement with families affected by violence and disasters.
Shaibu urged the President to explain what assistance had been provided to victims of the Tudun Biri incident, the status of investigations into civilian deaths and the measures being taken to protect communities facing abductions.
Campaign council demands details of petrol discount
The ADC campaign council also questioned the effectiveness of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s petrol discount promotion, which began on October 1.
Shaibu claimed that during visits to NNPC retail stations, attendants told him no discount was available, forcing him to purchase petrol at ₦1,405 per litre.
He challenged the national oil company to publish details of the promotion, including the number of customers who benefited, participating stations and the volume of petrol sold at the discounted rate.
He also questioned the reach of a ₦66-per-litre discount, given the limited number of NNPC retail outlets compared with the thousands of petrol stations operating across Nigeria.
According to him, temporary promotions cannot provide meaningful relief to households unless they produce measurable and sustained reductions in the cost of living.
ADC seeks clarification on five-point economic plan
Shaibu demanded specific details about the implementation of the government’s 90-day action plan, insisting that Nigerians deserve measurable targets and transparent timelines.
On food affordability, he asked the government to explain how it would reduce costs for farmers, transporters and traders and ensure that lower prices would persist beyond the 90-day period.
Regarding tax harmonisation, he called for the publication of a comprehensive schedule showing which taxes and charges would be removed or combined, while questioning whether additional taxes were being planned for 2027.
On infrastructure, he asked the administration to identify the projects expected to be completed within 90 days, their locations, outstanding costs and expected dates of public use.
He also challenged the government to specify the investment bottlenecks it intended to remove, particularly those affecting electricity, transportation and access to affordable financing for manufacturers and businesses.
On household support, Shaibu demanded details of eligibility requirements, payment amounts, disbursement timelines, funding and the arrangements for assistance after the 90-day period.
He maintained that without these details, the plan risked remaining an announcement without verifiable benefits for ordinary Nigerians.
Questions raised over political data collection
The ADC campaign spokesman also raised concerns about a registration form reportedly circulated under the name “Arise for Tinubu 2027,” which he said requested voter identification, bank details and phone numbers.
He questioned who was collecting the information, how it would be used and whether the exercise was connected to the government’s proposed household support programme.
Shaibu called on the Tinubu administration to clarify whether the registration exercise had any connection with publicly funded relief initiatives, warning against using access to public assistance to collect political data or recruit voters.
He insisted that Nigerians should not be required to provide voter or bank details to a political organisation as a condition for receiving government relief.
ADC promises affordability under Atiku
The campaign council contrasted the administration’s proposed economic measures with the position of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whom it said had pledged to make Nigeria affordable again.
Shaibu said the ADC’s proposed approach would focus on disciplined public spending, targeted assistance for households, lower costs of producing and transporting essential goods, and improved conditions for Nigerian manufacturers to expand and create jobs.
He argued that economic policies should be assessed based on whether families can afford food and other necessities rather than the number of deadlines announced by the government.
The ADC spokesman concluded by challenging Tinubu to explain whether Nigerians were better off than they were in May 2023 and whether households would still be able to afford food after the proposed 90-day programme ends.
“President Tinubu made life expensive. Atiku Abubakar will make life affordable again,” Shaibu said.
