The Democratic Front (TDF) has dismissed claims by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on the economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the opposition’s assessment as flawed and disconnected from current realities.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, the group said the ADC misrepresented data and took a recent report by Agora Policy out of context in its critique of the administration’s policies.
TDF argued that the ADC failed to acknowledge the economic challenges that necessitated the removal of fuel subsidy in 2023, noting that the policy was widely supported across party lines during the electioneering period. It recalled that former ADC presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Dumebi Kachukwu and Ahmed Buhari, had also pledged to end the subsidy regime if elected.
The group described the ADC’s demand for a detailed account of subsidy savings as “mischievous and myopic,” insisting that the impact of the policy is evident in increased disbursements from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and ongoing investments in infrastructure and social programmes across federal and state levels.
According to TDF, prior to the subsidy removal, many states struggled to meet salary obligations and were burdened by debt, a situation it said has improved significantly due to higher revenue inflows.
It further accused the ADC of presenting a skewed poverty narrative by focusing only on the initial hardship caused by the reforms while ignoring emerging gains in key sectors such as agriculture, non-oil exports, solid minerals, industrial expansion, job creation, healthcare, and student financing through NELFUND.
The group also criticised ADC leaders for what it called “false narratives,” pointing out that prominent political figures including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi have previously opposed fuel subsidy and advocated for a private sector-driven economy.
TDF concluded that the subsidy removal policy remains a necessary reform, with its benefits becoming increasingly visible in improved government revenues and expanded social investments.
