ADC and Kwankwasiyya challenge Tinubu’s re‑election amid economic concerns

ADC urges Nigerian youths to oppose Tinubu On a weekend visit to Kabba/Bunu in Kogi State, the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC‑PCC) urged young Nigerians to reject President Bola Tinubu’s re‑election bid. The council’s media director, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the All Progressives Congress had failed to deliver job opportunities for graduates, forcing many to turn to small trading or mobile money services. He also criticised the government’s petrol price reduction, noting that motorists were still paying more than ₦1,400 per litre despite official claims of a discount to ₦1,350.

Kwankwasiyya claims Tinubu favours Atiku In a separate interview on Trust TV, Dr Habibu Sale Mohammed, spokesman for the Kwankwasiyya Movement, said that President Tinubu has supported the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, more than the movement’s own principal, Rabi’u Kwankwaso. Mohammed acknowledged that Tinubu and Kwankwaso have a long‑standing working relationship but argued that Tinubu’s recent political assistance has been directed mainly toward Atiku.

Atiku aide mocks Tinubu over UN budget Paul Ibe, a media aide to Atiku, posted a sarcastic message on X, congratulating Tinubu on receiving seven volumes of the United Nations budget. Ibe questioned how the documents would help Nigerians facing rising food prices, fuel costs and transportation fares, describing the country’s economic challenges as its own “seven volumes.”

Political context and opposition strategy The statements from both the ADC‑PCC and the Kwankwasiyya Movement reflect growing frustration among opposition groups about the APC’s performance over its decade in power. While the ADC has called for a rejection of Tinubu’s candidacy, the Kwankwasiyya spokesperson has accused Atiku of attempting to “de‑market” other opposition figures such as Peter Obi and Kwankwaso. These claims suggest a broader contest over influence within Nigeria’s opposition landscape.

Economic concerns at the centre All parties cited unemployment, poverty and the cost of living as key reasons for their criticism. The ADC highlighted the lack of decent employment for recent graduates, whereas the Kwankwasiyya Movement focused on perceived favoritism toward Atiku. The debate over petrol pricing and the relevance of international documents such as the UN budget underscores the urgency of addressing everyday economic pressures for ordinary Nigerians.

Implications for the 2027 election With the 2027 presidential election approaching, the positions of the ADC and the Kwankwasiyya Movement could shape the opposition’s strategy. Their calls for youth mobilisation and accusations of political bias may influence voter sentiment, particularly among young voters who have endured economic hardship under the current administration.