The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, arguing that democracy has failed to translate into meaningful improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians despite nearly three decades of civilian rule.
In a Democracy Day message issued to Nigerians, the party said the success of democracy should be measured by its impact on citizens' welfare rather than the number of years since the end of military rule.
The statement, signed by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, urged Nigerians to assess the country's democratic journey by examining their personal experiences with security, economic wellbeing and trust in government.
According to the opposition party, the answers to those questions reveal a troubling reality.
“Twenty-seven years after the return to democratic rule and three years into the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, Nigerians must ask themselves whether their lives have improved, whether they feel safer and whether they trust government more than before,” the party stated.
The ADC maintained that the answer for many citizens is negative, citing what it described as worsening insecurity, rising poverty and growing public disillusionment with governance.
The party accused the APC-led government of failing in its primary responsibility of protecting lives and property, alleging that violent attacks, kidnappings and criminal activities have continued unabated across the country.
According to the ADC, many communities now live in fear as criminal groups operate with increasing boldness, while thousands of Nigerians remain vulnerable to attacks and abductions.
It further argued that the security crisis has contributed to the displacement of communities, disrupted education and weakened public confidence in the state's ability to guarantee safety.
On the economy, the party said Nigerians are grappling with an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis, with soaring prices of food, transportation, housing, healthcare and education placing immense pressure on households.
The ADC noted that many workers have seen the value of their incomes eroded by inflation, while small businesses continue to struggle under difficult economic conditions.
The party also expressed concern over the future of young Nigerians, saying unemployment and limited opportunities have pushed many to seek greener pastures abroad.
According to the statement, the country's challenges are not inevitable but are largely the result of poor governance and ineffective policy choices.
The ADC accused the government of relying on promises and public relations campaigns rather than offering practical solutions to insecurity and economic hardship.
It argued that official economic statistics have done little to reflect the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians who continue to contend with rising living costs and declining purchasing power.
As part of its proposed alternative agenda, the party called for a security framework that is intelligence-driven, technology-enabled and rooted in community participation.
It also advocated a results-based approach to security spending, insisting that success should be measured by the safety of citizens rather than the size of government budgets.
The ADC said a future administration under its leadership would prioritise policies aimed at reducing energy costs, supporting small businesses, protecting vulnerable citizens and improving food production to lower the cost of living.
The party further pledged reforms designed to strengthen transparency, accountability and public confidence in democratic institutions.
According to the ADC, governments should ultimately be judged by their ability to improve citizens' lives through enhanced security, economic prosperity and effective service delivery.
The opposition party concluded that the true spirit of the June 12 democratic struggle can only be honoured through a commitment to building a democracy that guarantees security, opportunity and shared prosperity for all Nigerians.
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