Former Minister of Interior and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has launched a scathing attack on President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing the “Renewed Hope” agenda as a “scam” and calling for the president’s resignation over worsening insecurity and economic hardship.
Aregbesola made the remarks while speaking at the ongoing ADC National Convention in Abuja, where he accused the federal government of mismanaging the economy, deepening poverty, and failing to address rising insecurity across the country.
He said the ADC was on a “rescue mission” to reclaim Nigeria from what he described as poor governance and systemic failures, insisting that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had disappointed Nigerians who were promised better living conditions.
Criticising the state of the economy, Aregbesola argued that exchange rates and fuel prices had worsened significantly since the current administration took office in 2023. He claimed that the naira had depreciated sharply, while fuel prices had surged, placing severe pressure on households and businesses.
According to him, transportation costs have become so high that many workers now struggle to afford daily commuting, further worsening economic hardship.
He also faulted the government’s power sector performance, alleging that electricity supply had deteriorated despite earlier promises of improvement, leaving some regions with only a few hours of power supply daily or prolonged blackouts.
Aregbesola further condemned rising insecurity, citing repeated violent attacks across the country and accusing the administration of failing to show adequate urgency and compassion in responding to national tragedies.
He also raised concerns about education, claiming that the number of out-of-school children had increased significantly, while poverty levels had deepened nationwide.
“The country is drifting, and we cannot allow this continued drift into hopelessness,” he told delegates, urging Nigerians to support the ADC’s “rescue mission.”
He also criticised political actors who, according to him, misrepresent their role in the country’s democratic evolution, while emphasising that the ADC is rooted in constitutional freedoms and citizens’ aspirations.
The convention is expected to attract over 300 delegates and will consider key issues including the affirmation of the party’s National Working Committee led by former Senate President David Mark, alongside constitutional review and adoption of a revised manifesto.