The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on information and strategy, over his claim that he does not see the level of hunger many Nigerians complain about.
Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s national publicity secretary, stated the party’s position in a post on X on Wednesday.
‘Comments show government is disconnected’
The ADC said Onanuga’s remarks exposed how disconnected the Tinubu administration has become from ordinary Nigerians.
The party described the comments as insensitive.
“Mr Bayo Onanuga’s comments are not merely insensitive,” Abdullahi said.
“They are a startling admission of how disconnected the APC government has become from the realities of the people it governs.”
‘Nigerians are not pretending’
Furthermore, the ADC said Nigerians are genuinely struggling with rising living costs.
It blamed the hardship on the federal government’s economic policies.
“The truth is that Nigerians are not faking their suffering,” Abdullahi said.
“The unprecedented cost-of-living crisis confronting the country today is the direct result of the ill-conceived and poorly executed economic policies of the Tinubu administration.”
According to him, rising food prices, transport costs and inflation have pushed millions into poverty.
‘People cannot eat roads’
Meanwhile, the ADC dismissed the administration’s focus on infrastructure as a measure of economic success.
The party argued that road projects cannot replace economic welfare.
“The APC government will undoubtedly point to road infrastructure projects as its achievements,” Abdullahi said.
“The fact remains that Nigerians cannot eat roads.”
He added that government’s primary responsibility is to create jobs, improve incomes and make food affordable.
Questions government’s priorities
In addition, the ADC said the presidency should engage with ordinary Nigerians instead of relying on the experiences of officials.
According to the party, government must listen to traders, farmers, artisans and workers across the country.
“If the Presidency genuinely cannot see the hunger and hardship that Nigerians are talking about, then it raises serious questions about whether it sees the people at all,” Abdullahi said.
‘Leadership begins with honesty’
The opposition party also urged the Tinubu administration to acknowledge the impact of its policies.
It said denying citizens’ experiences would only deepen public distrust.
“The question is no longer whether Nigerians are suffering,” Abdullahi said.
“The real question is whether this government is prepared to acknowledge the consequences of its policies and accept responsibility for its failures.”
