ADP Raises Alarm Over Insecurity, Economic Pain

The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has raised the alarm over what it described as worsening insecurity and deepening economic hardship under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

The National Chairman of the party, Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani, made the assertion on Tuesday in Abuja while delivering a “State of the Nation” address, where he reviewed Nigeria’s political, economic and social conditions since May 2023.

Sani said despite what the Federal Government presents as bold economic and governance reforms, millions of Nigerians are experiencing rising insecurity, declining incomes and growing uncertainty in their daily lives.

According to him, national household surveys show that over 60 per cent of Nigerian families have recorded a drop in real income since 2023, while public confidence in governance continues to erode.

On security, the ADP chairman said Nigeria remains under severe strain, citing estimates by independent security trackers which put fatalities linked to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence at over 15,000 between 2023 and mid-2025.

He added that more than 3.5 million Nigerians are internally displaced across the country, with thousands of abductions recorded annually despite defence spending exceeding N4 trillion.

“Nigeria’s insecurity is not a manpower problem. It is a systemic failure driven by political interference, corruption and weak intelligence coordination,” Sani said.

Turning to the economy, he said the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market, though necessary, were implemented without adequate social protection, worsening hardship for citizens.

Sani noted that headline inflation climbed above 33 per cent in 2024, with food inflation exceeding 40 per cent, while the naira depreciated sharply, eroding purchasing power and forcing many small and medium-scale enterprises out of business.

He also criticised budget implementation, saying less than 20 per cent of the 2025 capital budget had been released by late 2025, leaving critical infrastructure projects stalled.

According to him, Nigeria’s public debt has crossed N100 trillion, with debt servicing consuming over 60 per cent of federal revenue.

On power supply, the ADP chairman said Nigeria generates less than 5,000 megawatts of electricity for a population of over 220 million, describing the situation as a major constraint on industrial growth.

Sani further accused the Federal Government of failing to curb crude oil theft and revenue leakages, estimating losses of between 100,000 and 400,000 barrels of crude oil daily due to theft and pipeline vandalism.

He also called for urgent reforms in petroleum metering and measurement, insisting that revenue accountability must begin with accurate and transparent measurement across the oil and gas value chain.

On social development, Sani said more than 130 million Nigerians are living in multidimensional poverty, warning that up to 35 million could face acute food insecurity by 2026 if current trends persist.

He added that Nigeria now has over 20 million out-of-school children, while healthcare spending remains below global benchmarks, contributing to the steady emigration of medical professionals.

The ADP chairman also expressed concern over governance and democratic practices, citing weak accountability, shrinking civic space and rising public protests, which he described as signs of a growing crisis of representation.

Sani called for a full investigation into allegations surrounding the Tax Act 2025, stressing that legislative authority must be protected and national sovereignty preserved.

He said the Action Democratic Party offers an alternative governance agenda focused on security reform, a production-based economy, disciplined public finance, food security, reliable power supply and inclusive democracy.

“Nigeria does not need propaganda. It needs courage, competence, accountability and inclusion,” Sani said.