The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Friday described President Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech as a self indictment and an indication that his government has failed to deliver the dividends of democracy it promised.
Promises Without Results
The party said Tinubu’s speech was merely loaded with promises that will still not be kept and should not be trusted. ADC maintained that Nigerians deserved concrete results rather than fresh assurances on economic recovery, security and job creation.
In a statement signed by ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said issues raised in the address failed to address the very challenges facing the country.
A Candidate's Speech, Not a President's
“President Bola Tinubu’s address was long on promises and short on answers. What Nigerians heard today was not the speech of a government entering its fourth year in office. It was the speech of a candidate seeking another mandate,” the party said.
The party acknowledged the significance of June 12 and the sacrifices of pro-democracy activists, but accused the President of failing to use the occasion to account for his administration’s performance.
Unfulfilled Promises Since 2015
“The question Nigerians should be asking is simple: after three years of President Tinubu and eleven years of APC rule, why are we still talking about promises?”
“The APC came to power in 2015 promising to tackle insecurity, revive the economy, create jobs, reduce poverty, strengthen institutions, and improve the quality of life of Nigerians.
“Eleven years later, these same issues continue to dominate the government’s speeches. The fact that the President is still making many of the same promises that brought the APC to power is itself an admission that those promises remain unfulfilled,” the statement added.
Economic Hardship Ignored
ADC argued that the administration’s emphasis on future prospects while millions of Nigerians grapple with economic hardship is problematic. “The President spoke extensively about economic reforms. Yet, he failed to adequately address the reality that millions of Nigerians are experiencing one of the most severe cost-of-living crises in recent memory. Food prices remain painfully high.”
