ADC accuses Tinubu of using 90-day economic relief plan to woo voters
*Judge Tinubu’s Administration by his record since 2023 not by new campaign promises – ADC
*Questions Tinubu, APC collection of Nigerians’ voter identification, bank details and telephone numbers
By KEMI KASUMU
“President Tinubu cannot put a 90-day deadline on hunger,” the ADC declared. The party described the initiative as “election bait and a scam”, alleging that the government was asking Nigerians to vote before they could assess whether the promised relief would materialise.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) has accused President Bola Tinubu of using a proposed 90-day cost-of-living relief plan to win political support ahead of the 2027 presidential election, describing the initiative as an attempt to divert attention from Nigerians’ prolonged economic hardship.
The party argued that the timeline for the proposed intervention, which extends beyond the presidential election scheduled to hold in January 2027, raised questions about the government’s commitment to delivering immediate relief to struggling households.
In a press briefing dated October 23, 2026, and signed by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, the party said Nigerians should judge the administration by its record since assuming office in May 2023 rather than by promises made during the election campaign.
“President Tinubu cannot put a 90-day deadline on hunger,” the ADC declared.
The party described the initiative as “election bait and a scam”, alleging that the government was asking Nigerians to vote before they could assess whether the promised relief would materialise.
“They want Nigerians to carry a 90-day IOU into the polling booth,” the statement said, adding that the government should be held accountable for the economic difficulties experienced by households over the past three and a half years.
The ADC identified five priorities in the government’s proposed plan: food affordability, tax harmonisation, completion of important projects, removal of investment bottlenecks and household support.
It questioned why the administration had taken so long to address issues that had placed pressure on families, workers, manufacturers and businesses.
According to the party, the removal of petrol subsidy significantly increased transportation, food and production costs, while adequate protection for vulnerable households should have accompanied the policy.
The ADC argued that the government should explain how savings from subsidy removal had been utilised and provide measurable evidence of the benefits delivered to Nigerians.
It also demanded details of the proposed food affordability measures, including the specific costs expected to fall, when consumers would begin to experience lower prices and how the government intended to sustain the benefits beyond the 90-day period.
On tax harmonisation, the party called for the publication of a comprehensive schedule identifying the taxes and charges to be removed or consolidated, as well as clarification on whether additional taxes were planned for 2027.
It also challenged the government to identify the projects expected to be completed within 90 days, disclose outstanding costs and provide timelines for making them operational.
The ADC said manufacturers and businesses needed practical interventions in electricity supply, transportation and access to affordable financing rather than assurances contained in government announcements.
ADC Raises Questions Over NNPC Petrol Discount
The opposition party also questioned the effectiveness of a petrol discount promotion reportedly introduced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) on October 1.
Shaibu claimed that he personally visited NNPC retail stations but was told by attendants that the discount was unavailable. He said he subsequently purchased petrol at ₦1,405 per litre.
The ADC demanded that the NNPC publish details of the promotion, including the number of customers who benefited, the participating stations and the volume of petrol sold at discounted prices.
It also questioned the reach of the initiative, arguing that a discount restricted to the NNPC’s retail network could have limited impact in a country where motorists purchase fuel from numerous independent outlets.
The party further questioned whether the reported ₦66-per-litre discount could provide meaningful and lasting relief amid persistent transportation and food costs.
The claims concerning the availability and implementation of the discount were contained in the ADC statement and were not independently verified for this report.
Tinubu’s Kaduna Visit Draws Security Questions
The ADC also criticised Tinubu’s planned visit to Kaduna for the flag-off of his re-election campaign, raising concerns about the government’s response to security incidents and disasters affecting communities in the state.
The party referred to the December 3, 2023, military drone strike on civilians attending a Maulud gathering in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State, in which at least 85 people were killed, according to figures cited in its statement.
It questioned the President’s decision to send his Vice President to visit survivors rather than personally meet bereaved families.
The statement also cited reported civilian casualties from military airstrikes, abductions by armed groups and attacks on communities in parts of Kaduna State.
It further referenced the effects of windstorms, rainfall and flooding on communities in 2025, arguing that residents needed sustained government attention to address insecurity, displacement and damage to homes.
The ADC challenged Tinubu to explain what had been done for victims of the Tudun Biri incident, the status of investigations into civilian deaths and the measures being implemented to protect communities threatened by kidnappings.
“Before asking Kaduna for another mandate, he should tell the people what has been done for the victims of Tudun Biri, what became of the investigations into civilian deaths, and how he will protect communities still living with the threat of abduction,” the statement said.
The party also questioned the timing of the President’s political engagements in the state, arguing that visits for campaign activities should be matched by visible attention to communities affected by violence and disasters.
ADC Questions Voter Data Collection
The opposition campaign council also raised concerns about a registration form allegedly circulating under the name Arise for Tinubu 2027, which it claimed requested voter identification, bank details and telephone numbers.
It asked who was collecting the information, how it would be used and whether the exercise was connected to the government’s proposed household support programme.
The party urged the Federal Government to clarify whether the registration exercise had any connection to publicly funded relief initiatives.
It maintained that Nigerians should not be required to submit sensitive personal or financial information to political organisations to access government assistance.
The allegation concerning the registration form was not independently verified for this report.
Atiku Promises Alternative Economic Approach
The ADC said its presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, was committed to making Nigeria more affordable through disciplined public spending, targeted household support, lower production and transportation costs, and improved conditions for manufacturers and businesses.
It argued that economic reforms should be assessed by their impact on household purchasing power, employment and access to essential goods rather than by government announcements.
The party challenged Tinubu to answer two questions: 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 intervention ended.
“Until he can answer both, Nigerians have every reason to regard this 90-day exercise as a political timetable dressed up as economic relief,” the statement said.
The ADC concluded by contrasting its candidate’s economic promises with the Tinubu administration’s record, declaring: “President Tinubu made life expensive. Atiku Abubakar will make life affordable again.”
The allegations and criticisms represent the position of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council. The government’s detailed implementation plans, eligibility criteria and projected outcomes for the proposed 90-day intervention would be necessary to assess the programme’s likely impact on households and the wider economy.
