TDF Faults ADC’s Assessment of Tinubu’s Economic Reforms.

The Democratic Front (TDF) has rejected the data presented by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in its assessment of the economic reforms of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing it as “not reflective of the reality on the ground.”

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, TDF said the opposition party’s position was fundamentally flawed.
The group accused the ADC of misrepresenting a recent report by Agora Policy, adding that the party failed to acknowledge the fragile state of the Nigerian economy prior to the removal of fuel subsidy in 2023.

TDF also argued that the ADC’s stance was inconsistent with its past positions, noting that the party’s 2023 presidential and vice presidential candidates, Dumebi Kachukwu and Ahmed Buhari, had pledged to eliminate the fuel subsidy if elected.

According to the statement, the removal of fuel subsidy was a common policy position among most political parties during the 2023 election, making ADC’s current criticism a “revisionist” approach.

The group further described the ADC’s demand for details on savings from the subsidy removal as “mischievous and myopic,” citing ongoing investments in social programmes and infrastructure at both federal and state levels.

TDF maintained that prior to the subsidy removal, many state governments struggled to meet obligations such as payment of the national minimum wage and workers’ salaries, while also grappling with significant debt burdens.

It also faulted the ADC’s use of poverty data, alleging that the party focused only on the immediate economic hardships while ignoring recent developments and policy outcomes.

According to TDF, ongoing reforms have yielded progress in sectors such as agriculture, non oil exports, solid minerals, industrial expansion, job creation, healthcare, and student financing through NELFUND, alongside increased allocations from the federation account and expanded social intervention programmes.

The group further criticised ADC leaders for promoting what it described as false narratives about subsidy removal, noting that prominent political figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi have previously opposed the fuel subsidy regime and advocated for a private sector driven economic model.