ADC rejects APC unpaid salary claims, urges ruling party to defend Tinubu record

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has formally rejected allegations made by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that the opposition party owes its workers unpaid salaries. In a statement released on October 26, 2026, the ADC described the claims as false and politically motivated, asserting that they were designed to divert public attention from the economic difficulties facing the Nigerian populace. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, issued the response, challenging the APC Presidential Campaign Council to provide credible evidence to substantiate its accusations.

Abdullahi stated that the APC should produce proof rather than circulating what he termed fabricated stories. The ADC argued that the current political climate is being dominated by distractions that prevent meaningful discussion of the administration’s performance. By denying the salary claims, the opposition party sought to shift the narrative away from internal party finances and towards the broader issues of governance and public welfare under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Background

The dispute arises in the context of the approaching 2027 general elections, where the ruling APC is preparing its re-election campaign. The ADC accused the APC of focusing its strategy on making allegations against opposition parties rather than highlighting its own achievements in office. Abdullahi noted that the ruling party has spent years making promises that it cannot keep, leading to a situation where excuses are difficult to defend. The opposition group explicitly demanded that Alake, the Minister of Information, along with other APC leaders, justify why the Nigerian public should back a second term for the governing party, citing three years of what they view as economic struggle and safety issues.

The ADC emphasized that the APC’s control over the machinery of government does not equate to control over the lived experiences of citizens. The party maintained that the economic conditions, including rising living costs, unemployment, and insecurity, should take precedence in political discussions. The ADC presented itself as a political force dedicated to scrutinizing the Tinubu government, maintaining that accusations leveled at rival parties do not negate the real problems facing people throughout the nation.

Why it matters

This exchange highlights the intensifying political rivalry in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections. The ADC’s refusal to engage with the specific allegation of unpaid salaries indicates a strategic decision to frame the election debate around macroeconomic issues rather than partisan attacks. The party identified the cost of living, the lack of jobs and opportunities for young people, and the threat of insecurity to lives and livelihoods as the central issues that should dominate public discourse. By framing the APC’s actions as "desperate distractions," the ADC aims to appeal to voters who are directly affected by economic pressures and security challenges. The statement underscores the tension between the ruling party’s campaign tactics and the opposition’s focus on governance performance, setting the stage for a contentious electoral period where economic policy and security records will be key battlegrounds.