ADC Chieftain Eze Slams Tinubu Government, Calls It Worst Since Return to Democracy

ADC Chieftain Eze Calls Tinubu Administration Worst Since 1999

African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze has launched a fresh attack on the administration of President Bola Tinubu, describing the government as the worst democratic administration Nigeria has experienced since the return to civilian rule in 1999.

Eze made the assessment while reacting to President Tinubu’s Independence Day address delivered as Nigeria marked its 66th anniversary of independence on October 1, 2026.

In a statement reported on Wednesday, the ADC chieftain criticised what he described as the administration’s handling of the economy, insecurity, borrowing, infrastructure and the general welfare of Nigerians.

Eze, a former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), argued that the country had entered its independence anniversary facing severe economic and social pressures.

He accused the Federal Government of failing to provide Nigerians with sufficient relief from rising living costs and other difficulties confronting households across the country.

According to him, the anniversary should have provided an opportunity to celebrate Nigeria’s progress and honour those who contributed to the country’s independence and democratic development. Instead, he said, Nigerians were confronting what he characterised as worsening poverty, insecurity and governance challenges.

‘Worst Since 1999’

Eze's strongest criticism centred on his description of the Tinubu administration as the worst since the beginning of Nigeria's current democratic era.

“This four-year administration of President Tinubu is the worst and most clueless since the inception of democracy in Nigeria,” he was quoted as saying.

The statement is a political assessment rather than an independently established ranking of Nigeria's democratic governments.

The ADC chieftain said previous administrations had also faced significant problems, but argued that the challenges under Tinubu had become more severe.

He accused the government of failing to adequately address economic hardship, insecurity and other structural problems while Nigerians continued to struggle with the rising cost of basic necessities.

His comments add to a series of criticisms from opposition figures and groups directed at the Tinubu administration throughout 2026.

Earlier in the year, the ADC itself accused the Federal Government of serious weaknesses in budget implementation and policy execution, while another ADC chieftain, Ladan Salihu, criticised the administration over governance and security concerns.

Criticism Over Cost of Living

Eze particularly focused on the economic difficulties faced by ordinary Nigerians.

He argued that food, transportation, housing and other essential expenses had become increasingly difficult for many households to afford.

The criticism comes against the backdrop of continuing debate over the economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, including the removal of petrol subsidies, changes in foreign-exchange policy and efforts to increase government revenue.

The government has maintained that the reforms are intended to stabilise the economy, attract investment and create conditions for longer-term growth, although the measures have also generated substantial public debate over their short-term impact on households.

Eze, however, argued that Nigerians should not be asked to celebrate economic projections while continuing to experience hardship.

He also criticised what he described as excessive government borrowing, claiming that the country's growing debt burden could impose obligations on future generations.

Eze Attacks Independence Day Address

Reacting specifically to Tinubu's Independence Day speech, the ADC chieftain described the address as inadequate and accused the President of failing to sufficiently confront the major problems facing Nigerians.

He argued that insecurity should have received greater attention in the President's national message.

Eze also criticised what he regarded as an overemphasis on economic projections without sufficient evidence of improvements in the daily lives of Nigerians.

His comments reflect a broader political argument from opposition figures who have questioned whether the government's economic reforms are delivering enough immediate benefits to citizens.

The Federal Government, however, has consistently defended its economic programme and maintained that reforms are necessary to place the Nigerian economy on a more sustainable footing.

Opposition Criticism Intensifies Ahead of 2027

The latest comments also come as political activity increases ahead of Nigeria's 2027 general elections, with the ADC emerging as one of the opposition platforms seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, now associated with the ADC, has also criticised the Tinubu administration over the country's economic situation.

In an October 1 address, Atiku accused the government of presiding over what he described as Nigeria's most severe cost-of-living crisis, arguing that millions of Nigerians were struggling to afford food, transport and other basic needs.

Earlier in January, Atiku had described the Tinubu administration as the worst government he had witnessed during his nearly four decades in Nigerian politics, while also comparing its impact negatively with previous military governments.

The Presidency rejected that characterisation, with presidential media adviser Sunday Dare accusing Atiku of distorting the history of military rule in Nigeria.

Government Defends Its Record

The criticism from Eze and other opposition figures comes as the Tinubu administration continues to defend its record, particularly its economic reforms and efforts to address security, infrastructure and public-sector challenges.

The government has argued that some of the measures being implemented are designed to correct longstanding structural weaknesses rather than provide temporary relief.

Supporters of the administration have also pointed to improvements in some economic indicators and increased investment activity as evidence that the reforms are beginning to produce results.

The debate therefore remains sharply divided between the government's argument that its reforms are laying the foundation for longer-term economic stability and opposition claims that the immediate burden on Nigerians has become excessive.

A Broader Political Dispute

Eze's comments are consequently part of a larger political dispute over how Tinubu's presidency should be assessed as the country approaches another election cycle.

While the ADC chieftain has described the administration in exceptionally negative terms, such assessments remain political opinions and are contested by supporters of the government.

The central questions surrounding the administration include whether economic reforms will translate into sustained improvements in household welfare, whether security conditions will improve, and whether government spending and borrowing will produce sufficient economic and social returns.

As political parties prepare for the 2027 elections, the performance of the Tinubu administration is expected to remain one of the major issues shaping public debate.

For Eze and other opposition figures, the government's record represents evidence of worsening governance. For the administration and its supporters, the reforms represent difficult but necessary steps towards restructuring the Nigerian economy.

Ultimately, Nigerians will continue to assess the government's record through issues that directly affect their lives, including food prices, employment, security, electricity, transport costs, public services and household income.