The party argued that he would be facing “millions of Nigerians grappling with hardship” rather than just political opponents.
In a statement on Saturday by the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party criticised recent remarks by the President.
Specifically, the party referenced a recent statement in which the President dismissed the ADC and mocked its recent convention, describing the comments as “unpresidential.”
“The President should not be ridiculing the opposition. He should be deeply concerned that the majority of Nigerians have rejected his government,” Abdullahi said.
“These are the reasons he should be worried, because the people are determined to vote him out.”
The party said Tinubu’s comments reflected “anxiety” rather than confidence, insisting that the administration appeared disconnected from the realities confronting citizens.
“What Nigerians saw was not the confidence of a leader in control,” the statement said. “It was the anxiety of a President increasingly disconnected from the reality of hardship, insecurity, and frustration facing millions of citizens.”
The ADC accused the President of focusing on politics at a time of worsening economic conditions and insecurity across the country.
“At a time when families are battling a historic cost-of-living crisis, food inflation, rising debt burdens and collapsing purchasing power, the President chose to mock the opposition instead of addressing the suffering of Nigerians,” it stated.
The party also referenced recent security concerns, noting that incidents such as the abduction of students highlight the gravity of the situation.
“This is the reality of today’s Nigeria—insecurity spreading deeper into everyday life while the government appears distracted,” the statement added.
Reacting to the President’s remark that the ADC held its convention “on the street,” the party dismissed the claim as misinformation.
“We did not hold our convention on the street. If that was the story supplied to the President by agents of disruption, then he has been misinformed,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC further alleged that democratic space was shrinking under the current administration, claiming that opposition parties were being denied access to public venues.
“No government before now had denied political parties fair access to public venues such as Eagle Square, a national civic ground that belongs to all Nigerians,” the party said.
On governance, the ADC accused the President of undermining the principle of separation of powers.
“The President cannot preach separation of powers while simultaneously assuming the role of interpreter of the law, political referee and commentator on judicial matters,” the statement read.
“He cannot be a President and a judge at the same time.”
It also criticised what it described as the weakening of democratic institutions, particularly the legislature, which it said had “too often appeared reduced to an extension of executive convenience.”
The party took a swipe at Tinubu’s recent overtures to supporters of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing them as politically motivated.
“After years of distancing himself from the late President and blaming him for every failure, it is hypocritical to suddenly make a U-turn because of the coming election. It is too late,” the ADC said.
The party maintained that the central issues facing the country remain economic hardship and insecurity.
“The issue before the country today is simple: hardship is rising, insecurity is worsening, debt is mounting, and hope is fading. No amount of political theatre can hide that truth,” it added.
Reaffirming its political stance, the ADC said it remains committed to offering Nigerians “a credible alternative anchored on competence, security, prosperity and democratic freedom.”
