The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADCPCC) has sharply criticized Vice President Kashim Shettima for claiming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu saved Nigeria from economic collapse, calling the statement misleading and an attempt to rewrite history. In a statement issued on Sunday, the council’s Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, argued that Shettima’s assertion—comparing pre-Tinubu Nigeria to Venezuela’s “Caracas” crisis—indirectly blames the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who governed under the same All Progressives Congress (APC). The ADCPCC maintains that if Nigeria was indeed on the brink of collapse during Buhari’s eight-year tenure, then the APC as a party must accept responsibility for its governance record.
Ologbondiyan emphasized that the current administration cannot distance itself from the policies and failures of its predecessor, especially since President Tinubu was a key figure in promoting and defending the Buhari government. He questioned how Nigerians could trust Tinubu, who belongs to the same political party, to deliver better results when the APC had already failed for nearly 12 years. According to him, the effort to separate Tinubu’s presidency from Buhari’s is not only disingenuous but also an admission of systemic failure within the APC. “Nigerians do not know Buhari as an individual; Nigerians know APC,” he stated, adding that the party has proven itself unworthy of another term in power.
The ADCPCC further accused the APC-led government of failing to address critical national challenges, including deteriorating infrastructure, unreliable electricity supply, and the collapse of public institutions. Ologbondiyan highlighted that the most pressing issue for ordinary Nigerians remains the rising cost of living, particularly food insecurity. He rejected the notion that Tinubu has rescued the economy, asserting instead that his administration has deepened Nigeria’s economic woes through hyperinflation, naira devaluation, widespread unemployment, and worsening insecurity. “President Tinubu has not saved Nigeria from collapse; he has pushed the country deeper into economic ruin,” he declared.
Ologbondiyan also dismissed Shettima’s promise to roll out 10,600 electric tricycles, 300 buses, and electric taxis under an e-logistics programme, urging Nigerians to judge the government by tangible outcomes rather than unfulfilled pledges. He reminded the public of earlier promises, such as reducing transport costs by October 1, 2026, which have yet to materialize. The ADCPCC called on Shettima and the APC to stop rewriting political history and focus instead on solving real problems facing the nation.
The council reaffirmed its commitment to offering a credible alternative to the APC, emphasizing the need for a government that prioritizes affordability, economic stability, and improved living conditions for all Nigerians. As the 2027 elections approach, the ADCPCC aims to position itself as a viable option for voters seeking change.
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