The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sharply criticized Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, over his recent remarks targeting the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. The ADC responded after Dare accused Atiku of political opportunism for pledging to restore the petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027. In a statement shared via X by Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, the ADC emphasized that their focus is not on personal attacks but on doing what is right for Nigerians.
Atiku Abubakar, who is seeking re-election as Nigeria’s president in 2027, has publicly promised to reinstate the fuel subsidy—a policy abolished during the 2023 election cycle under President Tinubu’s administration. This pledge has drawn criticism from government allies, including Sunday Dare, who argued that Atiku’s stance contradicts his earlier position during the 2023 campaign. Dare described Atiku’s reversal as hypocritical and an insult to the intelligence of Nigerians, especially those facing economic hardship amid global inflation and rising living costs.
In his response, Dare called Atiku’s proposal a “desperate gambit” that would fail, urging citizens of conscience to reject such political tactics. He stressed that the removal of the fuel subsidy was a necessary step to address fiscal challenges and improve energy sector efficiency. According to Dare, the government has spent three years demonstrating the rationale behind the subsidy removal, and he expects Nigerians to recognize the long-term benefits of the policy.
The ADC, however, dismissed these claims as empty rhetoric. Bolaji Abdullahi urged Dare to “take am easy o,” accusing him of gaslighting Nigerians with insults instead of addressing real issues. The ADC spokesman pointed out that the government had three years to prove the wisdom of removing the subsidy, yet many Nigerians still struggle with high fuel prices and transportation costs. He questioned whether the policy has delivered tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens.
The exchange highlights growing tensions between opposition parties and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. As debates over economic policies intensify, candidates like Atiku are expected to appeal to voters frustrated by rising costs of living. The ADC insists that restoring the fuel subsidy remains a viable solution to ease pressure on households and stimulate economic activity.
With less than three years until the next presidential election, this public spat underscores the increasing polarization in Nigerian politics. Both sides are mobilizing support around core economic issues, with the fuel subsidy debate likely to remain central to the electoral discourse. The outcome of these policy discussions may shape voter sentiment and influence the direction of Nigeria’s economy in the coming years.
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