Group to ADC: Subsidy Savings Driving Improved FAAC Disbursements, Infrastructure Growth Under Tinubu

The Democratic Front (TDF) has dismissed the data presented by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in its assessment of the economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu, describing it as unrepresentative of the current realities.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, the group argued that the opposition party’s position was fundamentally flawed and misleading.

According to TDF, the ADC misinterpreted a recent report by Agora Policy and failed to acknowledge the dire state of Nigeria’s economy prior to the removal of fuel subsidy in 2023.

“Beyond taking the Agora Policy report out of context, the ADC ignored the fragile and vulnerable condition of the economy that necessitated the subsidy removal by the Tinubu administration,” the statement read.

The group also accused the ADC of political inconsistency, reminding its leaders that the party’s 2023 presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Dumebi Kachukwu and Ahmed Buhari, had openly pledged to eliminate the fuel subsidy if elected.

“It is on record that the ADC manifesto supported subsidy removal. It is therefore disingenuous for the party to now adopt a revisionist stance on the issue, especially when most political parties made similar commitments during the 2023 campaigns,” TDF stated.

TDF further described ADC’s demand for details on subsidy savings as “mischievous and myopic,” citing ongoing investments in social and infrastructural development across federal and state levels.

The statement noted that prior to subsidy removal, many state governments struggled to pay salaries and meet basic obligations due to mounting debts and limited revenues.

“With improved FAAC disbursements following subsidy removal, states are now better positioned to meet salary obligations and invest in critical infrastructure,” the group added.

TDF also faulted the ADC’s use of poverty data, accusing the party of focusing solely on the initial economic challenges while ignoring recent progress.

“The ADC’s claims cannot outweigh visible gains in agriculture, non-oil exports, solid minerals, industrial expansion, job creation, healthcare reforms, NELFUND, and increased federation account allocations, alongside multiple social intervention programmes,” the statement said.

The group concluded by condemning ADC leaders for what it described as the promotion of misleading narratives on subsidy removal, noting that prominent political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi have all, at different times, opposed fuel subsidy and advocated for market-driven economic policies.