The African Democratic Congress has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu following comments by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who said he did not see the level of hunger and hardship widely reported across Nigeria. The ADC called the remarks insensitive and symptomatic of a government out of touch with the struggles of ordinary citizens. In a statement on Wednesday, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said over 80% of Nigerians are unable to feed their families, pay school fees, afford transportation or sustain businesses. The party described Onanuga's observation as a troubling admission of detachment from reality.
The ADC linked the worsening cost-of-living crisis to the administration's economic policies, citing soaring food prices, rising transport costs, shrinking incomes and eroded savings. It argued that government performance should not be judged only by infrastructure projects, noting that "Nigerians cannot eat roads." The party maintained that the primary duty of leadership is to ensure citizens can live better lives. The statement was issued in response to Onanuga's reported comment earlier Wednesday that he did not observe the extent of hardship being reported nationwide.
A presidential spokesman says he does not see widespread hunger, while the ADC claims 80% of Nigerians struggle to feed their families — one of these realities must be acknowledged by those in power. The administration's narrative risks rendering invisible the daily suffering it is meant to address. When officials question the existence of hardship, policy responses are likely to miss the mark. Leadership that cannot see the crisis cannot solve it.
💡 NaijaBuzz Take is AI-assisted editorial opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
