The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to shift its attention from political attacks to addressing the worsening economic and security challenges confronting Nigerians.

According to the party, the ruling APC has become increasingly focused on attacking the ADC's presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, rather than providing answers to the pressing issues affecting millions of citizens, including poverty, insecurity, unemployment, inflation, and the rising cost of living.

APC Should Respond to Nigerians' Concerns

The ADC noted that recent public concerns raised by the Catholic Bishops during their meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reflected the everyday realities experienced by Nigerians. Instead of responding to those concerns with practical solutions, the APC has, according to the party, chosen to redirect public attention by amplifying comments made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo about Atiku Abubakar.

The party argued that this approach represents a familiar pattern in which the government responds to criticism by attacking individuals rather than addressing the substance of the issues raised.

"Whenever respected Nigerians point to worsening poverty, insecurity, rising living costs, or declining public confidence in government, the APC avoids accountability and instead seeks new targets for political attacks," the statement said.

According to the ADC, this has resulted in a government that spends more time engaging critics than responding to the concerns of ordinary Nigerians.

Opinions Cannot Rewrite Historical Records

While acknowledging that former President Olusegun Obasanjo is entitled to express his personal opinions, the ADC maintained that individual opinions cannot erase historical records of governance.

The party recalled that during the Obasanjo administration, when Alhaji Atiku Abubakar served as Vice President and Chairman of the National Economic Council, Nigeria experienced stronger economic growth, greater macroeconomic stability, improved investor confidence, and a more affordable cost of living than what many Nigerians currently experience.

The ADC stated that regardless of any political differences that may now exist between the two former leaders, those economic outcomes remain matters of public record.

Nigerians Deserve Answers, Not Political Diversions

The party said the APC should focus on providing answers to the questions Nigerians are asking instead of attempting to make the 2027 general election about personalities.

Among the issues the ADC believes require urgent explanation are:

• Why food prices and the cost of basic necessities continue to rise despite claims of economic growth.
• Why more Nigerians have fallen into poverty under the current administration.
• Why economic growth has not translated into meaningful job creation.
• Why public borrowing has continued to increase without corresponding improvements in citizens' welfare.
• Why debt servicing consumes such a significant proportion of government revenue.
• Why insecurity remains widespread, with many communities continuing to face threats from bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers.

According to the ADC, these are the issues that matter most to Nigerians and should form the basis of national political discourse ahead of the 2027 elections.

2027 Election Should Be About Performance

The ADC argued that the APC is attempting to make the next presidential election a contest of personalities because it cannot defend its record in office.

"The APC wants the 2027 election to be about personalities because it cannot defend its performance. They want this election to be about Obasanjo's personal opinion of Atiku based on a distant past because they cannot defend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's record based on current performance," the statement said.

The party stressed that, ultimately, elections are decided not by the opinions of political figures but by the everyday experiences of citizens.

According to the ADC, Nigerians will evaluate the current administration based on their lived realities, including their economic conditions, personal security, and confidence in the country's future.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to shift its attention from political attacks to addressing the worsening economic and security challenges confronting Nigerians.

According to the party, the ruling APC has become increasingly focused on attacking the ADC's presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, rather than providing answers to the pressing issues affecting millions of citizens, including poverty, insecurity, unemployment, inflation, and the rising cost of living.

APC Should Respond to Nigerians' Concerns

The ADC noted that recent public concerns raised by the Catholic Bishops during their meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reflected the everyday realities experienced by Nigerians. Instead of responding to those concerns with practical solutions, the APC has, according to the party, chosen to redirect public attention by amplifying comments made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo about Atiku Abubakar.

The party argued that this approach represents a familiar pattern in which the government responds to criticism by attacking individuals rather than addressing the substance of the issues raised.

"Whenever respected Nigerians point to worsening poverty, insecurity, rising living costs, or declining public confidence in government, the APC avoids accountability and instead seeks new targets for political attacks," the statement said.

According to the ADC, this has resulted in a government that spends more time engaging critics than responding to the concerns of ordinary Nigerians.

Opinions Cannot Rewrite Historical Records

While acknowledging that former President Olusegun Obasanjo is entitled to express his personal opinions, the ADC maintained that individual opinions cannot erase historical records of governance.

The party recalled that during the Obasanjo administration, when Alhaji Atiku Abubakar served as Vice President and Chairman of the National Economic Council, Nigeria experienced stronger economic growth, greater macroeconomic stability, improved investor confidence, and a more affordable cost of living than what many Nigerians currently experience.

The ADC stated that regardless of any political differences that may now exist between the two former leaders, those economic outcomes remain matters of public record.

Nigerians Deserve Answers, Not Political Diversions

The party said the APC should focus on providing answers to the questions Nigerians are asking instead of attempting to make the 2027 general election about personalities.

Among the issues the ADC believes require urgent explanation are:

• Why food prices and the cost of basic necessities continue to rise despite claims of economic growth.
• Why more Nigerians have fallen into poverty under the current administration.
• Why economic growth has not translated into meaningful job creation.
• Why public borrowing has continued to increase without corresponding improvements in citizens' welfare.
• Why debt servicing consumes such a significant proportion of government revenue.
• Why insecurity remains widespread, with many communities continuing to face threats from bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers.

According to the ADC, these are the issues that matter most to Nigerians and should form the basis of national political discourse ahead of the 2027 elections.

2027 Election Should Be About Performance

The ADC argued that the APC is attempting to make the next presidential election a contest of personalities because it cannot defend its record in office.

"The APC wants the 2027 election to be about personalities because it cannot defend its performance. They want this election to be about Obasanjo's personal opinion of Atiku based on a distant past because they cannot defend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's record based on current performance," the statement said.

The party stressed that, ultimately, elections are decided not by the opinions of political figures but by the everyday experiences of citizens.

According to the ADC, Nigerians will evaluate the current administration based on their lived realities, including their economic conditions, personal security, and confidence in the country's future.