Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary on Wednesday exposed sharp differences between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) over President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the economy and national assets.
At a press conference in Abuja, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, accused the government of worsening hardship and betraying public trust.
“At 65, our nation is staggering under the failures of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress. We face an acute convergence of crises: economic hardship, spiraling insecurity, and a growing loss of public faith in government. The promise of renewed hope has given way to widespread disillusionment,” Abdullahi said.
He criticised plans to amend the Petroleum Industry Act and sell stakes of NNPC Limited, warning that such moves would put Nigeria’s future at risk.
“If we sell off our oil assets, we are not just parting with numbers on a balance sheet. We are surrendering the lifeblood of our economy and the backbone of our national sovereignty,” Abdullahi said.
He also faulted the government’s handling of security, saying: “Despite years of propaganda about restoring peace, Nigeria continues to bleed across multiple fronts. Boko Haram and ISWAP maintain footholds in the North, banditry terrorizes the Northwest, while insecurity now threatens the Federal Capital.”
But the APC dismissed the criticism, insisting Tinubu’s reforms had already placed the economy on the path of recovery.
APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, described Tinubu as “bold and visionary,” saying: “Our ship of state under the hands of President Tinubu now sails confidently in steady waters to a clear destination of stability, growth, and development.”
He cited economic progress, including “a GDP growth of 4.28 percent in Q2 2025, the highest in four years, foreign reserves rising to over $42 billion, and inflation falling to 20.1 percent.”
Morka stressed that painful policies like the fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms were already yielding results, with renewed investor confidence and record oil production.
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In Lagos, the National Coordinator of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Door-to-Door Movement, Sunday Asuku, praised Tinubu’s leadership during a peace walk organised by the group’s South-West chapter.
“The true strength of a nation lies not just in its leaders but in the collective will of its people to build, to endure, and to triumph,” Asuku said.
He added that Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda was rebuilding trust and ensuring “the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain.”
He concluded with prayers for peace, unity, and economic growth while urging Nigerians to remain hopeful.
“Happy Independence Day to all Nigerians at home and abroad,” he said.