ADC Accuses Tinubu of Panic, Says APC Cannot Hide Economic Failures
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has accused President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to divert public attention from the administration’s economic challenges through what it described as unsubstantiated allegations against former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
In a statement issued on Saturday, October 24, 2026, Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, criticised a statement by Dele Alake, accusing the APC of making allegations of artificial intelligence manipulation and deepfakes without providing evidence linking Atiku or the ADC to the alleged activities.
Shaibu described Alake’s statement as a political smokescreen, demanding that the APC provide names, dates and forensic findings to substantiate its claims.
He argued that the allegations were an attempt to distract Nigerians from the administration’s economic record, particularly rising fuel prices, high food costs and declining purchasing power.
According to Shaibu, petrol prices have risen to about ₦1,400 per litre, while diesel has exceeded ₦2,000 per litre. He also cited food inflation and poverty as evidence of the economic difficulties facing Nigerians.
The ADC spokesperson further questioned the circumstances surrounding the security arrangements for an APC campaign billboard in Kaduna, following the ruling party’s description of a vehicle near the billboard as part of a routine patrol.
He also raised concerns over reports that supporters had travelled from distant states to attend the APC rally and were left sleeping on the streets of Kaduna.
Shaibu said reports had also emerged of road accidents involving APC supporters travelling from Sokoto and Abuja to the rally, although he acknowledged that details remained unconfirmed.
He called on the APC to account for the safety of the passengers, describing the alleged transportation of supporters over long distances for campaign appearances as political exploitation.
The ADC campaign council also questioned Tinubu’s reported decision to campaign in only 12 states, arguing that the movement of supporters between rallies could undermine claims of widespread, spontaneous support for the ruling party.
Shaibu maintained that assembling crowds, hiring buses and erecting campaign billboards would not necessarily translate into genuine public support.
He said Nigerians were more concerned about the rising cost of living, expensive transportation, shrinking incomes and what he described as the APC’s failure to fulfil its promises than political exchanges between the parties.
The ADC spokesperson added that attacks against Atiku would not ease the financial burden on households, insisting that the ruling party should be held accountable for its economic policies.
He expressed confidence that Nigerians would reject the APC at the polls, arguing that no amount of political messaging could conceal the administration’s record.
The APC had earlier accused Atiku and the ADC of plotting to discredit its presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna through alleged misinformation and manipulated media content. However, Shaibu rejected the allegations and challenged the ruling party to substantiate its claims.
