TD ABUJA, FCT — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the composition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 campaign council, describing it as a “rehabilitation system” for individuals facing unresolved questions over corruption and public accountability.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the campaign council, which should ordinarily function as a political task team, instead appears to include individuals whose past records remain subjects of public concern.
The party specifically cited former Humanitarian Affairs Minister Betta Edu, who was suspended by President Tinubu in January 2024 amid controversy over an attempted transfer of ₦585 million in public funds to a private account.
The ADC also mentioned former NSITF Chairman Ngozi Olejeme, who faced prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial misconduct.
The opposition party questioned the status of the cases involving individuals now associated with the president’s campaign machinery.
“If they have been cleared, the government should show how and when and by whom they were cleared,” the party said.
According to the ADC, there is an emerging pattern in which corruption investigations appear to lose momentum before individuals previously associated with allegations of financial misconduct return to positions of political relevance.
The party argued that Nigerians deserve transparency regarding the outcome of such investigations.
2027 Election Will Be a Referendum on Tinubu
The ADC further declared that the 2027 presidential election would serve as a referendum on President Tinubu’s performance in office, rather than simply a contest between political parties.
It accused the administration of worsening economic hardship and said political alliances would not shield the government from public scrutiny.
“The President may assemble his old friends and political allies, including those carrying unresolved corruption questions, but all of their collective brooms cannot sweep away the grave pains they have brought on the Nigerian people,” the statement said.
The party criticised the government’s economic policies, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, arguing that millions of Nigerians continue to struggle with rising food and living costs.
The ADC also accused government officials and political allies of living in excessive comfort while ordinary Nigerians bear the consequences of economic reforms.
ADC Reiterates Fuel Subsidy Proposal
The party reaffirmed its commitment to the proposal associated with its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for a targeted subsidy on fuel production as a means of reducing petrol prices and easing the broader cost-of-living crisis.
The ADC said its proposed intervention would be “targeted, capped, budgeted and independently audited,” rejecting criticism that the country could not afford such a policy.
According to the party, the proposed mechanism would require every naira spent to be traceable and every barrel of crude accounted for.
The ADC argued that the government should first account for what it described as waste and inefficiency within its own administration before telling struggling Nigerians that the country cannot afford measures to cushion their hardship.
The party maintained that its economic proposal is designed to provide relief to households while ensuring accountability in the management of public resources.
