The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has delivered a scathing verdict on the state of Nigeria’s democracy, accusing the administration of President Bola Tinubu of failing to improve the living conditions of citizens despite 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance.
In a Democracy Day statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party argued that democracy should be assessed by the quality of life it provides for citizens rather than by the longevity of civilian rule.
The party urged Nigerians to reflect on whether they are more secure, economically better off and more confident in government than they were in previous years.
According to the ADC, the realities facing millions of Nigerians suggest that democratic governance has fallen short of expectations.
The party claimed that insecurity has continued to worsen under the current administration, with incidents of banditry, kidnapping and violent attacks persisting across many parts of the country.
It said the inability of government to adequately protect lives and property has left citizens increasingly vulnerable and has weakened public confidence in state institutions.
“Government is getting weaker while criminal elements are becoming stronger,” the party stated, arguing that many communities now live under constant fear of attacks and abductions.
The ADC also criticised the economic policies of the Federal Government, saying Nigerians are battling severe hardship caused by rising inflation and the increasing cost of essential goods and services.
According to the party, workers, small business owners and low-income households have borne the brunt of economic reforms that have significantly reduced purchasing power and made daily survival more difficult.
The statement further highlighted the plight of young Nigerians, many of whom it said face unemployment, underemployment and uncertainty about their future prospects within the country.
The opposition party argued that the challenges confronting Nigeria are largely the result of poor leadership and policy failures rather than unavoidable circumstances.
It accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of lacking effective solutions to the nation’s security and economic problems and relying instead on promises and public relations campaigns.
“The government continues to ask Nigerians to endure hardship without presenting practical answers to the challenges affecting their daily lives,” the statement said.
Presenting its alternative vision, the ADC called for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s security architecture, advocating intelligence-led operations, greater use of technology and stronger community participation in policing and crime prevention.
The party also proposed economic policies focused on reducing the cost of living, boosting agricultural production, supporting small and medium-scale enterprises and protecting vulnerable citizens from the impact of inflation.
In addition, it pledged to pursue reforms aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and public trust in democratic institutions.
The ADC maintained that government performance should be measured by tangible outcomes, including improved security, economic growth and citizens’ wellbeing, rather than political rhetoric.
It concluded that the ideals of the June 12 struggle would only be fulfilled when democracy begins to deliver real benefits to Nigerians through effective governance, prosperity and equal opportunities for all.