2027: ADC Accuses Tinubu’s Government of Using Public Funds to Buy Political Support

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to secure political support for President Bola Tinubu through the distribution of cash, gifts and food at campaign events.

The party’s Presidential Campaign Council, through its Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said Nigerians could not be persuaded to support the ruling party with money he alleged had been taken from them through the government’s actions.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Shaibu condemned what he described as the growing display of cash and other inducements at APC political gatherings, saying the practice was insensitive to the economic difficulties confronting millions of Nigerians.

He cited reports of luxury vehicles presented to APC women leaders, cash and cooked food allegedly distributed by the President’s son through the City Boy Movement, as well as videos showing an APC women leader sharing money and fabrics.

According to him, the developments suggest that the ruling party is treating political support as a commodity that can be purchased rather than earned through governance.

Shaibu also questioned what he described as inconsistent enforcement of laws relating to the abuse of the naira, calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the reported distributions.

He argued that authorities should explain why ordinary Nigerians were pursued over alleged naira abuse while similar activities at political events appeared to receive different treatment.

The ADC spokesman further criticised the Tinubu administration over what he described as three and a half years of economic hardship, worsening insecurity and rising public debt.

He said the government had failed to provide satisfactory answers about the scale, terms and utilisation of its borrowings, adding that cash distributions and gifts could not erase the difficulties experienced by households.

Shaibu maintained that no financial inducement could compel Nigerians to endorse a government they were dissatisfied with, insisting that votes should not be treated as items for sale.

The ADC campaign council urged the EFCC and INEC to urgently examine the reported incidents and publicly disclose the actions taken, stressing that political parties should not be allowed to use money or gifts to influence voters.

He added that the President could not restore public confidence through handouts, arguing that the electorate would ultimately determine the outcome of the 2027 general election.