Dare Babalola
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government of misleading the public about the supposed drop in food prices, alleging that the Tinubu administration is manipulating food prices and using hunger as a political tool.
In a statement signed by Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary on Monday, the ADC claimed that the reported decrease in food prices is artificial, resulting from import waivers that have flooded the market with cheap foreign food, rather than increased local production.
“Contrary to what is being celebrated in official circles, the reality on the ground, as confirmed by struggling farmers and families across the country, is that the Tinubu government is manipulating food prices and weaponising hunger for political gain,” Abdullahi said.
The party expressed concern that local farmers are being sabotaged by soaring input costs, insecurity, and displacement, making it difficult for them to compete with imported food.
The ADC called out the government’s claim of encouraging domestic production, citing worsening insecurity and unaffordable planting costs, questioning how production can increase when the rural economy is struggling.
“Additionally, we find it particularly strange and dishonest for the government to claim that its policies are encouraging domestic production at a time when many farmers have been displaced by bandits, and those who remain are barely able to afford the cost of planting. How can production be increasing when the rural economy is under siege, and the cost of planting is now beyond the reach of the average farmer?” He queried.
The party condemned the government’s actions, describing them as propaganda and manipulation of food prices for short-term political gain, creating an illusion of economic progress while citizens suffer.
The ADC demands a complete overhaul of the current agricultural approach, protection of local producers, addressing rural insecurity, and investment in long-term food sovereignty, rather than temporary political optics.
Abdullahi concluded, “The ADC condemns, in the strongest terms, the weaponisation of hunger and calls for a complete overhaul of the current agricultural approach. We must protect local producers, address rural insecurity, and invest in long-term food sovereignty, not temporary political optics.
“The Nigerian people deserve truth and food, not manipulation and a false narrative of renewed hope.”
