Tinubu’s aides knock ADC, dismiss ‘final year’ claim
…say leadership determined by Nigerians, not political rhetoric …defend reforms, insist democracy remains vibrant Aides to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have dismissed criticisms by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), rejecting
...say leadership determined by Nigerians, not political rhetoric
...defend reforms, insist democracy remains vibrant
- From Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja
Aides to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have dismissed criticisms by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), rejecting claims that the President is in his “final year in office” and defending the administration’s policy direction.
The response followed a birthday message by the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, in which he criticised the Tinubu administration over rising fuel prices, insecurity, economic hardship, and concerns about the state of Nigeria’s democracy, while suggesting that the President was marking his “final year in office.”
Reacting via his X handle, the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, described the claim as “wishful thinking,” stressing that leadership in a democracy is determined by the electorate, not political commentary.
“And that line about ‘as you celebrate your final year in office’ says more about wishful thinking than political reality,” Dada said.
He argued that Abdullahi’s critique was built on sweeping generalisations rather than balanced analysis, noting that accountability must be grounded in context, fairness, and accuracy.
According to him, issues such as fuel price increases and security challenges are not isolated to the current administration, explaining that the removal of fuel subsidy was aimed at addressing long-standing fiscal pressures, while security challenges require sustained and coordinated responses.
Dada also dismissed insinuations of a drift towards a one-party state, maintaining that Nigeria’s democracy remains active and plural, with room for diverse opinions.
In a similar reaction, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Media, O’tega Ogra, accused Abdullahi of “selective amnesia” and attempting to “reinvent history.”
“You speak of hardship as though you discovered it. You speak of insecurity as though it began yesterday. You speak of governance as though you were never inside the room when decisions were made,” Ogra said.
While acknowledging the economic difficulties faced by Nigerians, including rising fuel prices, Ogra noted that the challenges predate the current administration.
“For years, we subsidised illusion, deferred reality, borrowed comfort, and allowed rent-seekers to take hold of our commonwealth,” he stated.
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He described the removal of fuel subsidy as a necessary but difficult decision, noting that it was a “hard choice” with immediate consequences but long-term benefits.
“We endure to rebuild, not rebuild to endure,” he added.
On insecurity, Ogra said Nigeria’s security challenges are complex and multi-layered, and cannot be attributed to a single administration, adding that efforts are ongoing to improve coordination and operational capacity.
“Is it enough? No. Is it nothing? Also no,” he said.
He also rejected concerns about shrinking democratic space, arguing that the very existence of open criticism against the government underscores the vitality of Nigeria’s democracy.
“A democracy that permits this level of dissent is not shrinking; it is alive, imperfect, noisy, contested, but alive,” Ogra said.
Ogra further contended that some critics were overlooking their own roles in shaping past governance outcomes.
“You criticise a system you once helped shape. You condemn outcomes without acknowledging inputs,” he said.
He described the current phase as one of “correction” and “transition,” rather than decline.
“We are not where we want to be, but we are no longer where we were,” Ogra added.
