ADC Knocks Tinubu Over N50,000 Monthly Relief, Alleges Election Gimmick

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Federal Government’s proposed N50,000 monthly cash relief for vulnerable Nigerians, describing the initiative as an election-driven intervention aimed at regaining public support ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party alleged that the timing of the announcement raised questions about the motive behind the programme, insisting that the administration of President Bola Tinubu had failed to adequately address the economic hardship confronting Nigerians.

The ADC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, made its position known in a statement on Saturday.

Abdullahi claimed that the government’s recent social intervention announcements were reactions to the opposition party’s campaign promise to reduce the cost of living and improve the purchasing power of Nigerians.

According to him, the Federal Government had previously announced a $1 billion Renewed Hope Social Intervention Fund in August, a 30-day fuel discount, cheaper transportation initiatives across states from October 1, and a N70,000 transportation allowance for workers, but questioned the implementation and impact of the programmes.

He said the latest N50,000 monthly relief was another attempt by the administration to respond to growing public dissatisfaction.

“President Tinubu is in full panic mode now. Since ADC and our Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, have made affordability and reducing the cost of living cardinal focuses of our campaign, the government has been announcing one desperate intervention or another,” Abdullahi said.

The opposition party also questioned the purchasing power of N50,000 under the prevailing economic conditions, arguing that the amount would offer limited relief to households struggling with rising food, transportation, energy and healthcare costs.

It maintained that the government’s economic reforms had imposed significant hardship on citizens, accusing the administration of failing to introduce adequate measures to cushion the effects of its policies from the outset.

The ADC further questioned why the government waited until the election season to introduce the proposed cash relief if it genuinely intended to protect vulnerable Nigerians.

“If they could give N50,000 to vulnerable Nigerians, why didn’t they factor it into reform plans from day one rather than make it an election-season handout?” the party asked.

Beyond the timing of the intervention, the ADC raised concerns about transparency and accountability in the management of previous social intervention funds.

It cited concerns reportedly raised by the Auditor-General over billions of naira allocated to earlier cash transfer programmes, questioning whether those responsible for any financial irregularities had been held accountable.

The party warned that without proper accountability mechanisms, the new initiative could suffer the same shortcomings as previous intervention programmes.

It said the government must explain how earlier funds were utilised before asking Nigerians to trust another programme involving substantial public resources.

The ADC argued that addressing the country’s cost-of-living crisis required more than cash transfers, stressing the need for policies capable of reducing food prices, transportation costs and energy expenses while restoring citizens’ purchasing power.

It maintained that sustainable economic relief could only come through effective economic management, transparent governance and policies that directly improve the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians.