The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using propaganda to deflect attention from the country’s economic challenges, while challenging the party to provide evidence for its allegations against former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
The ADC Presidential Campaign Council, in a statement issued on Saturday by its Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, described a statement by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, as an attempt to divert public attention from the APC’s performance in government.
Alake had raised concerns over an alleged plot involving Atiku and the ADC, including claims of artificial intelligence manipulation and deepfake content.
Shaibu, however, argued that the allegations lacked supporting evidence and challenged the minister to provide names, dates and forensic findings linking the opposition figures to the alleged activities.
He described the APC’s response as politically motivated, insisting that the government should address questions about its record rather than engage in what he called unsubstantiated accusations.
The ADC spokesman also criticised the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, citing high fuel prices, rising transportation costs and persistent pressure on household incomes.
He argued that the rising cost of living had placed a heavy burden on Nigerians and weakened public confidence in the ruling party.
Shaibu further questioned the APC’s explanation of reports concerning a vehicle near one of its campaign billboards, as well as accounts of supporters allegedly brought from other states to attend a rally in Kaduna.
He also referred to reports of accidents involving supporters travelling from Sokoto and Abuja, although he acknowledged that details of the incidents remained unconfirmed.
He called on the APC to clarify the circumstances surrounding the reported journeys and account for the safety of those travelling to its campaign events.
The ADC campaign official argued that transporting supporters over long distances and leaving them to sleep outdoors, if established, would raise questions about the treatment of party supporters and the organisation of political rallies.
Shaibu maintained that large crowds, campaign billboards and political rallies could not replace public approval, arguing that Nigerians would ultimately judge the APC on its handling of the economy and its delivery on campaign promises.
He expressed confidence that the ADC would benefit from public dissatisfaction with the government’s performance, predicting that voters would reject the APC in the 2027 general elections.
