Subsidy Debate: You Have Lost Nigerians’Support, ADC Mocks Tinubu’s Social Fund

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has mocked the federal government’s $1 billion social protection programme, accusing President Bola Tinubu of attempting to win back Nigerians after losing their support through what it described as failed economic policies.

The party said the social fund was a panic reaction to the proposal by its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to introduce targeted production subsidies to reduce the cost of living if elected in 2027.

In a statement yesterday signed by its national publicity secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC accused the Tinubu administration of impoverishing millions of Nigerians through the removal of fuel subsidy and other economic reforms, only to introduce palliatives as elections approach.

The party said the government’s decision to unveil the $1 billion programme was an admission that Nigerians were suffering from the consequences of its policies.

According to the ADC, the government had for three years insisted that there was no money to cushion the effects of its reforms, but had now suddenly found $1 billion for social protection with elections approaching.

“For three years, Nigerians have cried under the weight of food prices, transport costs and collapsing purchasing power, while this government insisted that there was no money to cushion the effects of its reforms.

“Now that elections are approaching, it has suddenly found $1 billion for the poor. If the government could somehow conjure up this money, why did it remain indifferent to the suffering of Nigerians for three years? Or did the poor only become visible when their votes became valuable?” the party asked.

The ADC said the development vindicated Atiku’s earlier proposal for a targeted production subsidy, which it said was designed to reduce production costs and bring down prices rather than merely provide temporary relief.

It alleged that the Tinubu administration had previously rejected the proposal, while its officials told Nigerians that subsidy in any form was no longer possible.

“Yet, almost immediately, it has announced a billion-dollar programme to support Nigerians from the consequences of its evil policies,” the party said.

The ADC argued that Nigerians would not forget what it described as the hardship caused by the administration’s reforms, including higher food, fuel, transport and energy costs.

It also questioned the effectiveness and accountability of previous social intervention programmes, citing the claim by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs that more than N600 billion had been disbursed in cash transfers over the past three years to slightly more than 10 million households.

The party demanded evidence of the beneficiaries and measurable impact of the funds, as well as independent verification of the figures.

It further raised concerns about the management of social intervention programmes, alleging that weak social registers and corruption had undermined the delivery of previous interventions.

The ADC said the Federal Government had yet to explain how the new $1 billion programme would avoid the problems associated with earlier interventions.

The party also questioned the proposed N40,000 payment to families under the programme, describing it as potentially a vote-buying initiative ahead of the 2027 elections.

“A government whose so-called reform has destroyed purchasing power through higher food, fuel, transport and energy costs, cannot now return with a one-off N40,000 per family, which it cynically tagged ‘shock-response payment’,” the party said.

The ADC also questioned the role of First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu in launching the programme, arguing that the initiative involved public funds and therefore required clear accountability.

It asked whether the programme was a Federal Government initiative or a project of the First Lady, while demanding details of its funding source, budgetary provision, approval process and accounting authority.

The party further asked which public institution would oversee the disbursement of the funds and answer to the Auditor-General and the National Assembly.

“If these are public funds, what statutory authority does the Office of the First Lady have over them, if any?” the ADC asked.

The opposition party said it supported genuine efforts to protect vulnerable Nigerians, but maintained that palliatives could not replace policies that would restore purchasing power, stimulate production and improve living standards.

It said the 2027 election would present Nigerians with a choice between a government focused on managing poverty and an alternative committed to addressing the underlying causes of economic hardship.

“If the Tinubu administration has suddenly discovered that Nigerians need protection from the cost of its failed reforms, then perhaps the first thing it should do is admit that Atiku was right: reform without relief is not courage; it is cruelty,” the ADC said.