Politics

ADC Slams Tinubu Over Mounting Debts, Demands Audit

Published

2 months ago

July 27, 2025

The African Democratic Congress on Sunday condemned what it described as the “fiscal vandalism” of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, following the National Assembly’s approval of an additional $21bn in foreign loans.

The party said the new borrowing spree could drive Nigeria’s public debt beyond N200trn by the end of 2025 — without any visible economic gains to show for it.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC accused Tinubu of accelerating Nigeria’s descent into a debt trap far worse than what the country experienced under his predecessor.

“What Nigerians are witnessing, following the approval of a fresh $21 billion in foreign loans, is nothing short of a calculated decision to mortgage the country’s future just to cover up the failures of today,” the party stated.

Citing official data, the ADC argued that under former President Muhammadu Buhari, the country borrowed an average of N4.7trn annually.

However, borrowing under the Tinubu administration has skyrocketed to N49.8trn per year.

“In just two years, this administration has borrowed more than ten times what Buhari borrowed in the same timeframe,” the statement said.

“At this rate, Nigeria’s total public debt will crash through N200trn before the end of the year. We are speeding toward a financial cliff, and those in charge seem to have no brakes.”

While defenders of the Tinubu government have claimed the current borrowing figures appear smaller in dollar terms—$1.7bn annually compared to Buhari’s $4.15 billion—the ADC dismissed such arguments, pointing instead to the devastating impact of currency devaluation.

“With the naira now in free fall, again thanks to this administration’s poor policy choices, these same loans are costing the country far more,” the statement read.

“When converted to naira, Tinubu’s foreign borrowing amounts to N25.5trn every year, more than Buhari’s annual average of N2.2trn.”

The opposition party claimed that since the APC assumed power in 2015, Nigeria’s public debt has ballooned from N12.6trn to over N149trn in 2025, with over $35bn borrowed from external lenders alone in the last decade.

“Our debt to the World Bank has tripled. What we owe in Eurobonds has grown eleven times over. And now, this government wants to borrow even more, pushing our foreign debt ceiling to $67bn.”

The ADC expressed concern that this growing mountain of debt has not translated into improved infrastructure or services.

“The debts have continued to mount, but infrastructures have remained poor, universities are still grossly underfunded, hospitals are still ill-equipped, and the electricity supply is as poor as ever. So, what exactly are these loans used for?” it queried.

“This is the question that Nigerians expect the National Assembly to ask. Instead, it has continued to approve these loans without asking the hard questions, without demanding a plan, and without standing up for the Nigerian people.”

The party cited data from the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria to further highlight the impact of excessive borrowing, saying small businesses now struggle to access credit, while investors are losing confidence and leaving the market.

“And because over 60 per cent of our national income is now used to service debt, the government is turning to ordinary Nigerian families and taxing them beyond their limits.”

The ADC also faulted the government for borrowing more even after the recent naira devaluation, arguing that such a move should ordinarily reduce the need for external loans.

Consequently, the party demanded full transparency regarding all loans taken since 2015.

“The ADC hereby demands a full disclosure of all loan agreements signed over the past ten years by the APC and the Tinubu government. Nigerians have a right to know the terms, interest rates, payment timelines, and final recipients of the loans.”

It further urged President Tinubu to end what it called “fiscal recklessness” and focus instead on meaningful economic reforms.

“We also call on President Tinubu to put an end to this fiscal recklessness and focus instead on meaningful reform by investing wisely and spending responsibly. The era of borrowing to cover policy failures must come to an end,” the statement concluded.

Efforts to get the reactions of Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information, Bayo Onanuga and the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, were unsuccessful.

As of the time of filing this report, they could still not be reached.

Politics

Court Declines Kachikwu’s Motion Against INEC, ADC Leaders

Published

22 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday declined to hear an application filed by the African Democratic Congress’ 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, against the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the party.

Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling, refused to entertain the motion.

Kachikwu, through his counsel, Dayo Akinlaja (SAN), had sought an order compelling INEC to withdraw the publication of Mark and Rauf Aregbesola’s names as national chairman and secretary of the ADC, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

INEC had recently recognised Mark, a former Senate President, and Aregbesola, a former Governor of Osun State, as the party’s national chairman and national secretary.

On July 7, Kachikwu and four others – Adikwu Elias, Etimbuk Umoh, Muhammed Khala, and Alaku Godwin William – filed an originating summons challenging the recognition of the duo.

The suit lists INEC, ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu, Mark, and Aregbesola as the first to fifth defendants.

When the matter was called on Friday, Akinlaja told the court that a motion dated September 19 had been filed. He argued that despite the pendency of the suit, INEC went ahead to recognise Mark and Aregbesola as party leaders.

The plaintiffs asked the court to set aside the recognition and publication of their names, describing it as a breach of the doctrine of lis pendens. They also sought an injunction restraining Nwosu, Mark, and Aregbesola from further relating with INEC as ADC’s national officers.

However, counsel for the ADC, Shaibu Aruwa (SAN), along with other defence lawyers, opposed the application.

After hearing arguments, Justice Omotosho declined to entertain the motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1331/2025.

He said, “This court is not inclined to nullify anything at this stage, whether done before or now. This is a political case. I am not taking any interlocutory matter.”

The judge held that all processes filed by the parties, including preliminary objections, would be taken together with the substantive case.

Despite repeated pleas by Akinlaja for the motion to be heard, the court stood its ground.

Justice Omotosho also granted an application for joinder filed by Nkemakolam Ukandu, the ADC deputy national secretary, and ordered that his name be added as a defendant.

He directed the plaintiffs to file the amended processes within 48 working hours and gave the defence seven days to respond. The case was adjourned till October 23 for hearing.

Politics

Fubara Sacks Commissioners, Others

Published

2 days ago

October 2, 2025

Editor

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has sacked all commissioners and other public office holders serving in his administration.

The decision, according to a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday evening by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, takes immediate effect and followed the recent Supreme Court judgment.

The governor, during a valedictory session with his cabinet to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary at Government House, Port Harcourt, thanked the outgoing officials for their services and contributions to the state’s development over the past two years.

The statement read in part, “Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has thanked members of his cabinet for their services and contributions to the development of the state in the last two years.

“The governor highlighted the significance of Nigeria’s Independence, and called on all Nigerians to work together with Mr President to build a peaceful, secure and prosperous country and a brighter future for all.

“Furthermore, the Governor has relieved all Commissioners and other public officers affected by the recent Supreme Court judgment of their appointments with immediate effect.”

Fubara also reiterated his commitment to serve the state “with renewed vigour,” while expressing gratitude to Rivers people for their support and wishing Nigerians a happy Independence anniversary.

Recall that the immediate past administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), upon assumption of office during the emergency rule imposed by President Bola Tinubu, suspended all commissioners, special advisers, and assistants appointed by Fubara. Ibas also dissolved boards and suspended heads of parastatals he met in office.

Since Ibas exited the state on September 18, the fate of Fubara’s appointees had remained uncertain. The Rivers State House of Assembly, at its first sitting after the lifting of the emergency rule, had called on the governor to submit a fresh list of commissioner-nominees for screening, alongside the 2025 budget for passage.

Politics

2027: Crisis Rocks Kaduna ADC Over Power Tussle

Published

3 days ago

October 1, 2025

Editor

The Kaduna State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is enmeshed in crisis as a fierce power struggle among leading figures threatens the party’s chances in the 2027 general elections.

ADC stalwart, Malam Salihu Lukman, raised the alarm on Wednesday, warning that the party may not make a meaningful impact at the polls if the internal rift persists.

In a statement, Lukman alleged that some party leaders have aligned with certain aspiring candidates for the 2027 elections to the exclusion of others.

He called on former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Malam Jaafaru Sani, Alhaji Bashir Saidu, and other opposition leaders in the state to halt what he described as “the madness” of candidates bent on hijacking party structures.

According to him, “anybody who is not ready to work as part of a united opposition in Kaduna State is consciously or unconsciously working for the APC.”

Expressing concern over the infighting, Lukman said his efforts to mediate had largely failed.

“The fact that Senator Musa Bello is aggressively seeking to control structures of ADC in Zone 2 is a reflection of my failure, largely because I am associated with him.

“Senator Lawal Adamu (Mr. La) has avoided all my requests to meet him. I have met Malam Jaafaru Sani on this matter and had discussions with Malam Nasir. Sadly, we are not united, and the perception is that I am part of the problem.”

Lukman stressed that he has no political ambition but remains committed to building a united front. “As a citizen from Kaduna State, I am willing to make every necessary sacrifice to move our state forward. Without sounding immodest, I made every sacrifice to contribute to forming the coalition and negotiating the agreement with ADC.

“May I therefore appeal to Malam Nasir and all our leaders to please seek to unite us. It is only if we are united in ADC that we can unite our people in the state to defeat the APC in 2027. We must bear in mind that it is not just about defeating APC but about producing a government controlled by our party based on collective leadership.

“We need to put an end to the era when we produce emperors as governors. Anything short of a government managed by collective leadership under ADC will be unacceptable.”