The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government of manipulating food prices and undermining local food production through policies it described as politically motivated.

In a statement on Monday, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the reported fall in the prices of some food items was “artificial” and driven by import waivers that allowed foreign rice and grains to flood the market.

The party said the alleged price drop does not reflect improved domestic output but a temporary market distortion that will further weaken local farmers already battling high input costs and worsening insecurity.

“Many farmers have been chased from their farms by bandits, while those still planting cannot afford fertiliser or other critical inputs. Yet the government is celebrating a price crash that has nothing to do with increased production,” the statement said.

The ADC accused the government of releasing previously hoarded imported food to create the impression of policy success, while millions of Nigerians remain food-insecure.

“If production is rising as government claims, why are farmers displaced and rural communities under siege? This is a manipulation of hunger for political optics,” it said.

The party called for a reset of the nation’s agricultural strategy, urging protection for local producers, stability in food pricing, security for farmers, and long-term investment in food sovereignty rather than “short-term economic cosmetics”.