Nigeria: Opposition Parties Knock Tinubu Over Worsening Insecurity, Poor Economy

What the report says

AllAfrica, republishing This Day, reported on July 30, 2026, that Nigerian opposition parties criticized President Bola Tinubu after he told Catholic bishops that the country’s security and economic conditions were improving. The remarks, made during a meeting with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, drew objections from parties and political figures who said the government was understating hardship and insecurity.

The African Democratic Congress, through its national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, objected in particular to Tinubu’s statement that he was ready to “fight to the finish” politically. The ADC said the president should direct that resolve toward terrorists, kidnappers and armed groups. The party linked its criticism to continuing violence, including a reported attack on Naridon village in Kaduna State’s Kauru Local Government Area that it said killed at least 30 people and displaced families.

This Day also reported that Abdullahi, speaking separately in Ilorin, said the ADC would not rely on the Independent National Electoral Commission to safeguard its votes in the 2027 elections and would instead focus on protecting them itself. The Allied People’s Movement also rejected Tinubu’s assessment, calling claims of economic recovery and improved security unrealistic when many households remain under severe pressure.

The report said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, identified as the ADC’s presidential candidate, cited a disclosure that the federal government exceeded its 2024 borrowing limit by N4.79 trillion, raising fresh borrowing to N12.62 trillion. The media office of Peter Obi, identified as the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, also accused the government and allies of distracting the public from worsening economic and security concerns.