The presidential campaign council of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s 90-day cost-of-living relief plan, describing it as “election bait” and demanding details of how the proposed measures would ease the economic hardship facing Nigerians.
The council’s Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, stated this on Friday during a world press conference at the party’s secretariat, questioning the timing of the initiative and the government’s ability to deliver meaningful relief within the proposed timeframe.
Shaibu argued that with the presidential election reportedly 86 days away, the 90-day timeline would extend beyond the poll, raising concerns that Nigerians might not experience the promised benefits before deciding whether to renew the administration’s mandate.
“After three and a half years of hardship, this government is asking families to carry another promise into the polling booth and wait for relief until the votes are counted,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to judge the Tinubu administration by its economic performance and the impact of its policies on household incomes rather than promises announced ahead of the election. The Federal Government’s 90-day plan identifies five priority areas: food affordability, tax harmonisation, completion of key projects, removal of investment bottlenecks and household support.
However, Shaibu maintained that these issues had remained unresolved for too long, citing rising food and transportation costs, growing pressure on manufacturers and the closure of businesses. He also criticised the government’s handling of petrol subsidy removal, arguing that adequate measures to protect vulnerable households should have accompanied the policy from the outset.
According to him, Nigerians were made to bear the immediate economic consequences of the reform while being asked to wait for its promised benefits. “A government cannot put a 90-day deadline on hunger, the cost-of-living crisis and insecurity and call it an economic policy,” he said.
ADC Questions Tinubu’s Planned Kaduna Visit
The ADC campaign official also questioned President Tinubu’s planned visit to Kaduna State to launch his re-election campaign, citing concerns over insecurity, civilian casualties from military airstrikes, abductions and natural disasters in the state. He recalled the December 3, 2023, military drone strike on civilians attending a Maulud celebration in Tudun Biri, which killed at least 85 people.
He also referenced a reported military airstrike in Giwa in September 2024 that allegedly killed at least 24 civilians, as well as reported kidnappings in Kachia in September 2025 and the impact of storms and flooding on communities across the state.
Shaibu challenged the President to explain what his administration had done to support victims of the incidents and what concrete measures had been introduced to protect residents from abductions and other security threats.
Demands Transparency Over NNPC Fuel Discount
Shaibu also questioned the effectiveness of a fuel discount promotion reportedly introduced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) on October 1. He claimed that he visited NNPC retail outlets but was told that no discount was available, adding that he subsequently purchased petrol at ₦1,405 per litre.
He challenged the company to publish comprehensive details of the promotion, including the number of motorists who benefited, the participating stations and the volume of petrol sold at discounted prices. The ADC official further questioned the reach of a reported ₦66-per-litre discount, arguing that the impact of the initiative needed to be assessed against the number of NNPC retail outlets and the country’s wider fuel retail network.
Demands Details of Five-Point Relief Plan
On food affordability, Shaibu asked the government to explain which production and distribution costs would be reduced for farmers, transporters and traders, when consumers should expect lower market prices and how the reductions would be sustained beyond the 90-day period.
He also demanded the publication of the proposed tax harmonisation measures, a list of projects scheduled for completion within the timeframe and details of the government’s plans to remove obstacles affecting manufacturers and investors.
Regarding household support, Shaibu called for disclosure of the eligibility criteria, payment amounts, commencement dates, funding arrangements and plans for beneficiaries after the initiative expires.
He argued that without clear implementation details and measurable targets, the plan risked becoming another government announcement without demonstrable benefits for ordinary Nigerians.
Raises Concerns Over ‘Arise for Tinubu 2027’ Registration Form
Shaibu also raised concerns about a registration form circulating under the name “Arise for Tinubu 2027”, which he said requested voter identification, bank details and phone numbers.
He demanded clarification on the identity of those collecting the information, the purpose of the exercise and whether it was connected to the proposed household support programme. He insisted that Nigerians should not be required to surrender sensitive personal information to a political organisation as a condition for accessing public relief.
He further urged the government to explain what safeguards would prevent the misuse of personal data or the diversion of public assistance for political purposes.
Atiku’s Alternative Economic Position
Shaibu said Atiku had pledged to make Nigeria more affordable through disciplined public spending, targeted household assistance, lower production and transportation costs for essential goods, and policies designed to help local manufacturers expand and create jobs.
He maintained that the success of economic policies should be measured by improvements in household purchasing power, reduced living costs and increased economic opportunities, rather than official announcements.
The ADC campaign council urged Nigerians to demand verifiable evidence that the proposed relief measures would reach intended beneficiaries, deliver measurable improvements and remain effective beyond the election period.
