ADC Accuses Tinubu Administration Of Manipulating Food Costs, Using Hunger As Political Weapon

The opposition party African Democratic Congress (ADC) has leveled allegations against President Bola Tinubu’s government, claiming it is artificially controlling food prices throughout Nigeria and exploiting hunger as a tool for political advantage.

Through its spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC declared in a Tuesday statement, “Contrary to what is being celebrated in official circles, the reality on the ground, as confirmed by struggling farmers and families across the country, is that the Tinubu government is manipulating food prices and weaponising hunger for political gain.”

Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun has maintained that President Tinubu’s economic strategies have positioned Nigeria “firmly on the right path,” pointing to the reduction in rice prices from N120,000 to approximately N80,000 as evidence.

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Writing in a piece entitled “Nigeria turning towards prosperity,” Mr Edun asserted that the nation had begun its journey toward economic prosperity, suggesting that the most challenging period of Nigeria’s economic transformation had passed.

The ADC, however, contends that the documented decrease in certain food prices is manufactured and stems from import waivers that have saturated the market with inexpensive foreign produce.

“It is neither evidence of sound policy nor proof of increased local production. And while that may offer momentary relief, it has come, and will come, at the heavy cost of sabotaging local farmers who can no longer compete due to soaring input costs, especially fertilisers, and worsening insecurity,” the party clarified.

The opposition party added that any “current drop in price is temporary, unsustainable, and driven by panic, not strategy or deliberate planning,” challenging the Federal Government’s assertions that its policies are fostering growth in domestic production, especially given the escalating banditry in certain regions.

The ADC stated, “This is propaganda. What we are witnessing is a deliberate manipulation of food prices for short-term political gain, designed to create the illusion of economic progress while citizens continue to suffer. We also take note of the government’s claim that it has not released imported food into the market.

“If we are to even momentarily entertain this falsehood, it begs an even more damning question: why is the government hoarding food while the people go hungry? What sort of administration stores food in warehouses during a hunger crisis?,” ADC said.

The political party denounced the Tinubu-led government’s weaponization of hunger, demanding an immediate and comprehensive restructuring of the existing agricultural strategy.