By Opeyemi Adelakun
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has accused the Federal Government of failing Nigerians, saying citizens facing difficulties in accessing healthcare, electricity, safe roads and other basic necessities are experiencing the consequences of poor governance.
The Director of Strategic Communications of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, made the assertion on Sunday while reacting to comments by the All Progressives Congress (APC) on former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi’s claim that he struggled to afford medication for his late mother.
The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, had criticised Amaechi over the claim and described him as a “loafer” following his alleged financial difficulties after leaving public office.
Reacting, Shaibu said the response was insensitive, arguing that the issue should instead draw attention to the difficulties faced by Nigerians who cannot afford basic necessities.
“If Rotimi Amaechi says he struggled to afford his mother’s medication, the humane response is compassion. The political response is to ask why millions of Nigerians are also being priced out of medicines, food and basic necessities,” he said.
He added that Nigerians struggling to afford treatment, maintain access to electricity or travel safely should not be described as loafers.
“Nigerians who cannot afford treatment, keep the lights on or travel safely on their roads are not loafers. They are citizens living through the consequences of a government that has failed them,” Shaibu said.
The ADC spokesman further criticised the Tinubu administration over the economy, roads, electricity, security and public welfare, alleging that the challenges had worsened the hardship experienced by citizens.
“The reality is plain: the roads are bad, the economy is bad, electricity is bad, security is bad and the welfare of the people is bad,” he said.
Shaibu also questioned the condition of roads in the South-East and challenged the APC to explain why Nigerians continued to face difficult and unsafe journeys on roads intended to connect communities and facilitate trade.
“Instead of sneering at Amaechi, Morka should explain why Nigerians face dangerous journeys on roads meant to connect communities and support trade,” he said.
He also faulted what he described as increased public spending that had not translated into affordable healthcare, reliable electricity and safe roads for many Nigerians.
“The APC cannot boast about trillions in public spending while Nigerians lack safe roads, reliable electricity and affordable healthcare,” Shaibu said.
According to him, the effectiveness of government should be assessed by whether citizens can live safely, access healthcare and earn decent livelihoods.
“The test of government is not how viciously its spokesmen can insult their opponents. It is whether people can live safely, afford treatment and earn a decent living,” he said.
Shaibu urged the APC to explain the Federal Government’s record to Nigerians and called for respect for Amaechi’s family following the death of his mother.
He also linked the controversy to the 2027 general elections, urging Nigerians to consider the direction of the country when deciding how to exercise their votes.
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