The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over what it described as a lack of empathy for Nigerians facing insecurity, hunger and economic hardship, urging him to learn from French President Emmanuel Macron’s approach to leadership.
The criticism followed reports that Macron’s planned state visit to Nigeria, initially scheduled for October 28 and 29, 2026, had been postponed until early 2027. The visit was also expected to feature the France-Nigeria Business Forum in Lagos.
In a statement issued by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the ADC-PCC argued that the reported postponement highlighted the importance of leaders paying attention to pressing domestic concerns. It maintained that citizens’ welfare should remain central to government decisions, particularly when a country faces serious security and economic challenges.
The council cited attacks and killings in several states, including Plateau, Niger, Benue, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kogi, Kwara, Katsina and Sokoto, alongside reports of mass abductions and the displacement of communities. It accused the Tinubu administration of failing to demonstrate what it considered an adequate level of public concern for Nigerians affected by these incidents.
The ADC-PCC also raised concerns over reports that more than 60 young Nigerians had been detained in Niger State under allegedly inhumane conditions, with more than 37 reportedly dying in custody. The council called for urgent government intervention, accountability and justice for the affected families. These figures and allegations were presented by the opposition council and should not be treated as independently established findings.
The council further questioned the administration’s response to the country’s security and economic difficulties, arguing that leadership requires more than official statements. It said public office holders should demonstrate concern through visible engagement with affected communities and concrete action to address their needs.
The ADC-PCC urged Tinubu to prioritise the protection of lives, strengthen efforts to tackle insecurity and take practical steps to ease the rising cost of living. It argued that Nigerians facing hardship deserved leadership that visibly reflected their concerns and offered clear responses to the challenges confronting them.
The criticism comes as Tinubu’s administration defends its economic reform programme while households continue to face pressure from high prices and persistent security concerns. The president, who launched his re-election campaign in Kaduna on October 24, has defended the government’s policies, while opposition figures have continued to challenge the administration’s handling of the economy and security.
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