The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has lashed out at President Bola Tinubu over a comment mocking the coalition party ahead of the 2027 elections. 

Mr Tinubu, on Thursday, berated ADC chieftains for being blind to the achievements of his administration, noting no amount of pressure or intimidation would distract him from his job.

“I can only stand before you and say you will not regret it. That is why we ask you to renew their hope. If they don’t want to see the hope and the roads and bridges, and the children we raise, the economy we are growing, we shall lend them Jigi-Bola, eyeglasses,” Mr Tinubu said.

In a statement on Friday, ADC spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, said Mr Tinubu should rather be worried about how his ill-conceived policies have ruined lives rather than mocking the opposition.

“At a time when families are battling a historic cost of living crisis, food inflation, rising debt burdens, and collapsing purchasing power, the President chose to mock the opposition instead of addressing the suffering of Nigerians. 

“However, even as he spoke, reports of children being abducted from examination centres were circulating. This is the reality of today’s Nigeria, insecurity spreading deeper into everyday life while government appears distracted.

“The President should not be ridiculing the opposition. He should be deeply concerned that the majority of Nigerians have rejected his government, whose ill-conceived policies have ruined lives and destroyed livelihoods”, Mr Abdullahi stated. 

Rejecting what he described as the false narrative around the ADC national convention, Mr Abdullahi said no government had denied political parties fair access to public venues more than the Tinubu-led government. 

He added, “But even if any opposition party were forced to gather outside established venues, Nigerians would understand why. Under this administration, democratic space has shrunk significantly. No government before now had denied political parties fair access to public venues such as Eagle Square, a national civic ground that belongs to all Nigerians, not to any ruling party.”

He accused Mr Tinubu of being disconnected from the challenges and frustration facing millions of citizens, noting the president should be scared because Nigerians are eager to vote him out in 2027.

“The issue before the country today is simple: hardship is rising, insecurity is worsening, debt is mounting, and hope is fading. No amount of political theatre can hide that truth. These are the reasons he should be scared, because the people are determined to vote him out.

“The ADC remains focused on building a credible alternative anchored on competence, security, prosperity, and democratic freedom. Nigerians deserve better than excuses, propaganda, and power games,” Mr Abdullahi stated.