Atiku’s ADC Campaign Council Calls Tinubu’s 90-Day Relief Plan ‘Election Bait’ as Nigerians Demand Answers

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign council under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s proposed 90-day cost-of-living relief plan, describing it as “election bait” and questioning whether struggling Nigerians will see meaningful benefits before or after they vote. The council’s Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, made the allegations during a press conference at the party’s secretariat, arguing that the government’s promises raise serious questions about timing, transparency and economic accountability. In a political season where every announcement risks becoming an election talking point, the central question is whether relief will reach Nigerian households quickly enough to make a real difference.

90 Days of Promises, but When Will Nigerians Feel the Relief Says ADC?

ADC argued that the timing of the administration’s plan was questionable, claiming that with the presidential election reportedly 86 days away, the proposed 90-day implementation period would extend beyond election day. His criticism was straightforward: after years of economic hardship, Nigerians should not have to enter the polling booth carrying fresh promises while waiting for relief that may arrive later. In his view, the government should be judged by its record on the economy rather than by a new timetable announced as elections approach.

The administration’s plan identifies five priorities: making food more affordable, harmonising taxes, completing key projects, removing barriers to investment and providing household support. However, ADC maintained that these were longstanding challenges that should have received greater attention earlier. He pointed to rising food and transport costs, pressure on manufacturers and business closures as reasons Nigerians deserve measurable results rather than another round of official assurances. In a country where household budgets are already under pressure, a 90-day countdown means little unless citizens know what will change, when it will happen and how the results will be measured.

Petrol Prices, Household Support and Questions Over Transparency

The ADC campaign official also criticised the handling of petrol subsidy removal, arguing that the immediate financial burden fell on ordinary Nigerians while promised benefits and protective measures remained uncertain. He questioned a reported fuel-discount promotion introduced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) on October 1, claiming that he was unable to obtain the discount at retail stations and eventually bought petrol at ₦1,405 per litre. He challenged the company to publish details of the promotion, including participating stations, the number of motorists who benefited and the volume of fuel sold at discounted prices. These claims require verification through the company’s records, but they highlight a wider public concern: announced savings are of limited value if consumers cannot establish where or how to access them.

Shaibu also demanded a detailed implementation plan covering all five priorities. He wants the government to explain how food production and distribution costs will fall, which taxes will be harmonised, which projects will be completed within 90 days, and how investment barriers will be removed. For household assistance, he called for clear eligibility rules, payment amounts, commencement dates, funding arrangements and plans for beneficiaries after the programme expires. He further raised concerns about a registration form circulating under the name “Arise for Tinubu 2027”, which he alleged requested voter identification, bank details and telephone numbers. He questioned who was collecting the information and how it would be used, stressing that Nigerians should not have to expose sensitive personal information to a political group to access public assistance. The allegations concerning the form and the fuel promotion warrant independent verification and clear responses from the relevant parties