ABUJA — A fresh political row has erupted between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with both parties exchanging accusations over leadership failures, economic hardship, and the growing influence of opposition figures.
The APC on Monday lashed out at key ADC-affiliated leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former governors Nasir el-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, describing them as “the most confused, clueless, rudderless and pitiful gang of opposition elements Nigeria has ever known.”
The ruling party accused the ADC coalition of trying to sabotage the country’s north-south presidential rotational principle by plotting to impose Atiku Abubakar as its next presidential candidate. APC also claimed that former Kaduna State governor, el-Rufai, who has been openly critical of the Tinubu administration, is driven by personal ambition after his failed ministerial nomination.
“El-Rufai and Atiku want to do to Nigeria what Atiku did to PDP. Their hijack of ADC constitutes a clear and present threat to national unity and progress,” APC spokesperson Felix Morka said.
The party accused el-Rufai of ethnic and religious marginalisation during his time as governor and claimed he left Kaduna with a N284 billion debt burden.
ADC Hits Back, Calls Tinubu’s Reforms “Heartless”
In a swift response, the ADC dismissed APC’s statements as baseless, instead slamming President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies as “heartless” and designed to benefit international financial institutions rather than Nigerians.
Balarabe Rufai, National Youth Leader of ADC, told Vanguard that the Tinubu administration is insensitive to the struggles of over 133 million Nigerians living in poverty.
“In a country where over half the population lives in multidimensional poverty, the government continues to impose aggressive taxes on the poor,” Rufai said. “This shows a complete disconnect from the realities ordinary Nigerians face.”
He described ADC’s proposed economic reforms as “organic, original, and people-centered,” contrasting them with what he called externally driven prescriptions from Bretton Woods institutions.
Rufai also confirmed ongoing alignments with major political figures, including Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, saying both leaders are expected to work with the ADC’s structure and vision.
CUPP Joins Fray, Defends Peter Obi
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) also entered the debate, calling APC’s attacks on Peter Obi “a desperate and diversionary tactic” to deflect from the government’s failures.
Chief Peter Ameh, CUPP National Secretary, said Obi remains focused on reducing waste, strengthening transparency, and protecting vulnerable Nigerians.
“Peter Obi never opposed subsidy removal, but advocated a phased, people-conscious approach. What we have now is a policy that has plunged Nigerians deeper into poverty,” he said.
Ameh accused the ruling party of mismanaging its mandate and resorting to smear campaigns rather than addressing pressing national issues.
Political Realignments Intensify
The exchange between APC and ADC signals increasing political tensions ahead of 2027, as opposition parties move to consolidate influence. Rufai hinted that the ADC aims to reform Nigeria’s political landscape by curbing godfatherism and making delegate influence “valueless.”
While the ruling party maintains that Tinubu’s policies are yielding long-term benefits, critics argue that Nigerians are yet to feel any positive impact two years into his tenure.
As political alignments shift and rhetoric heats up, all eyes remain on how the parties intend to translate their competing visions into meaningful relief for struggling citizens.
