The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticized the state of democracy in Nigeria, arguing that it has failed to deliver meaningful improvements to the lives of ordinary citizens under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
In an open letter issued to Nigerians to commemorate Democracy Day, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the success of democracy should be measured by its impact on citizens’ welfare rather than the number of years since the country returned to civilian rule.
The ADC urged Nigerians to reflect on the current state of the nation by considering whether they are safer, more prosperous, and more confident in government than they were in previous years.
“Twenty-seven years after the return to democratic rule, and three years into the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, we ask you these simple questions: Is your life better today than in the past? Do you feel safer today than you felt in the past? Do you trust the government more than before?” the party stated.
According to the opposition party, the answers to those questions are clear.
“The answer to these questions is no doubt painfully clear: a resounding no,” it said.
The ADC accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of presiding over worsening insecurity, deepening economic hardship, and eroding public confidence in democratic institutions.
The party claimed that insecurity has reached troubling levels across the country, exposing citizens to violence, kidnappings, and criminal activities.
“Every single day, Nigerians are killed in their dozens and kidnapped in their hundreds. Bandits and other criminal elements openly negotiate for ransoms and set the terms of co-existence,” the statement read.
It argued that the government's inability to guarantee the safety of citizens has contributed to the displacement of communities, disruptions in education, and widespread fear.
“The most important job of a government is to protect the citizens. But is there any one of you today who believes that this government can protect anybody?” the party asked, adding that “government is getting weaker; criminals are getting stronger.”
On the economy, the ADC painted a grim picture, saying millions of Nigerians are struggling with a severe cost-of-living crisis fueled by rising prices of food, transportation, housing, healthcare, and education.
“Workers watch their incomes lose value. Small businesses struggle to survive. Parents make impossible choices between feeding their families, paying school fees, and meeting basic household needs,” the statement noted.
The party also expressed concern over the plight of young Nigerians, many of whom, it said, are unable to secure meaningful employment and are increasingly seeking opportunities abroad.
“Our young people, who should be the engine of national renewal and economic growth, increasingly confront a future defined by uncertainty. Many cannot find meaningful employment. Many others no longer see a future for themselves within our borders,” Abdullahi said.
According to the ADC, the challenges facing the country are not inevitable but are the result of poor leadership and ineffective policies.
“We believe that all the afflictions that we face as a people are direct manifestations of the affliction that the ruling party represents. Insecurity reflects their incompetence and indifference. Growing poverty reflects their wrong-headed economic policy that celebrates statistics but remains indifferent to human suffering,” the party stated.
The opposition party further accused the government of asking citizens to endure hardship without offering practical solutions.
“This APC government has no solution to insecurity. All they have is condolence messages and empty threats to bandits and criminals. They have no solution to the cost-of-living crisis that is taking away your dignity. All they have is propaganda and more promises of a better life in the future,” Abdullahi said.
Presenting its alternative vision for the country, the ADC advocated for intelligence-led, technology-driven, and community-based security strategies. It also emphasized that security spending should be assessed based on outcomes rather than budget allocations.
“Security spending must be judged not by how much money is appropriated, but by whether citizens are safer. The measure of success is not the size of a budget. The measure of success is whether a farmer can return safely to his farm,” the party said.
On economic policy, the ADC pledged to pursue measures aimed at reducing energy costs, supporting small businesses, protecting low-income earners, and lowering food prices through improved agricultural productivity and strengthened food security.
The party also promised reforms to enhance transparency, accountability, and public trust in democratic institutions.
“We believe that government should once again be judged by results—not by headlines, speeches, or excuses—but by whether Nigerians are safer, more prosperous, and confident that their country is moving in the right direction,” it stated.
The ADC maintained that the most fitting way to honor the sacrifices of the June 12 democratic struggle is through honest reflection on the state of the nation and a renewed commitment to building a democracy that delivers security, prosperity, and opportunity for all Nigerians.
