The African Democratic Congress and Social Democratic Party presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo have launched stinging criticisms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of presiding over deepening economic hardship, rising insecurity and growing public disillusionment.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said a nationwide survey conducted by Eagle Badger Data Analytics showed that most Nigerians had lost confidence in the administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the party, the survey reportedly put Tinubu’s approval rating at about 30 per cent after three years in office, a figure the ADC described as “a mark of total failure” and evidence of a “national rejection” of his leadership.

The party said the findings reflected widespread anger over worsening living standards, with inflation, food prices and transport costs eroding incomes and pushing more households into poverty. It argued that the government’s economic policies had failed to deliver jobs or stability, while insecurity continued to disrupt farming and commercial activities across many states.

“Nigerians do not eat statistics. They eat food. They pay rent, school fees and transport fares. On all these measures, life has become significantly harder,” the ADC stated, insisting that the administration could no longer blame previous governments for current conditions.

The party further linked the country’s economic decline to persistent insecurity, noting that farmers in several regions were unable to access their farmlands due to attacks by bandits and kidnappers, thereby worsening food shortages and price hikes.

In a separate intervention, SDP presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo said Tinubu’s policies had intensified hardship, leaving many families unable to afford basic needs such as food, education and healthcare. He argued that recent reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, had triggered a surge in transport and living costs without adequate safety nets.

Adebayo warned that Nigeria’s democracy was also under strain, alleging a drift toward “one-man rule” and calling for stronger institutions and a more vibrant opposition. He said the SDP was preparing to field candidates at all levels in 2027 and urged Nigerians to back leaders committed to accountability and national development.

Afenifere chieftain, Oba Oladipo Oladotun, echoed the concerns, lamenting worsening insecurity and economic distress and urging urgent policy shifts focused on jobs, agriculture, education, healthcare, housing and infrastructure.

When contacted, the National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Felix Morka, declined to comment, saying he would not respond to such statements.