ADC Accuses Tinubu of “Calculated Neglect” of the North

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has launched a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s recent political appointments, accusing the administration of attempting to buy back Northern support after more than two years of calculated exclusion. In a statement issued Friday and signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the president’s gestures as “political panic management.”

According to the opposition party, the Tinubu-led government has for over 25 months sidelined the North from critical national decision-making processes. “You cannot marginalise a region for over twenty-five months and expect applause because you suddenly remembered on the twenty-sixth month that Nigeria is bigger than Lagos State,” the statement read.

The ADC said it was evident that the President’s appointments were not motivated by a sincere commitment to unity or inclusion, but rather by a growing fear of rising political opposition, especially from the North, where discontent has been mounting over the government’s handling of security, economic hardship, and representation.

Northern Nigeria “Systematically Sidelined” – ADC

The ADC claimed that under Tinubu’s administration, Northern Nigeria had borne the brunt of the country’s worsening insecurity and economic mismanagement. “For over a year, this government turned a blind eye as bandits terrorised villages in the North, as our farmers abandoned their land, and as rural economies crumbled under the weight of poorly thought-out fuel subsidy removal,” Abdullahi said.

The statement went further to say that every major policy initiative or appointment since Tinubu assumed office had excluded significant Northern voices. The recent appointments, the party argued, are “consolation prizes,” unworthy of celebration.

“Northerners, as co-owners of our great federal republic, know better than to be deceived by these token appointments. Tokenism is not inclusion, and symbolism is not governance,” Abdullahi added. The ADC called for a return to meaningful governance that respects the federal character principle, rather than optics aimed at pacifying dissent.

ADC Calls for End to “Bourdillon-style Appeasement Politics”

The ADC urged President Tinubu to end what it termed “Bourdillon-style appeasement politics,” a reference to the political stronghold of the President in Lagos. According to the party, the path to genuine national unity lies not in hurried appointments or publicity-driven gestures, but in equitable governance and inclusive policy-making.

“You cannot patch a broken roof with press releases and photo-ops. And you certainly cannot restore the trust that you have lost with the public by pretending that titles are a substitute for genuine commitment to nation-building,” the statement read.

The ADC maintained that Nigerians across all regions are watching closely and will not be swayed by political theatrics. It urged the President to pursue “broad-based consultation, policy fairness, and adherence to the federal character principle” as a pathway to unity and stability.

APC Hits Back: Accuses ADC of Politicising Buhari’s Death

In a fiery rebuttal, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) condemned the ADC for allegedly politicising the state burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The APC described the opposition’s remarks as “insensitive and unacceptable,” warning the ADC to refrain from exploiting a national moment of grief.

The APC’s response came via a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, and signed by APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka. “The party’s criticism of the dignified state burial accorded to the late President is as spooky as it is unconscionable,” Morka stated.

He accused the ADC of lacking empathy and understanding of national customs. “What would the ADC have had President Tinubu do? Deny the late President Buhari the honour of a befitting state burial? Withhold empathy and support for the bereaved former first family?” Morka asked, warning that ADC’s “desperation for power” had blinded it to basic decency.

Tinubu Pays Tribute as Buhari Is Laid to Rest with State Honours

While the political war of words raged, President Tinubu led a solemn Federal Executive Council (FEC) session on Thursday to honour the memory of former President Buhari. Attended by members of Buhari’s family, ministers, and senior government officials, the session was marked by tributes and moments of silence.

Buhari, who died on July 13, was buried with full state honours on July 15 in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State. President Tinubu described Buhari as a patriot who “served Nigeria with unwavering dedication,” adding that his contributions would never be forgotten.

Despite the brewing political controversies, the presidency insists it remains focused on national healing and transformation. However, critics, including the ADC, argue that real unity can only be achieved when all regions are treated as equal stakeholders in the Nigerian project.