Atiku camp questions Tinubu’s 90-day relief plan as deadline falls after election
The presidential campaign council of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described President Bola Tinubu’s proposed 90-day cost-of-living relief plan as “election bait,” arguing that the programme’s timeline extends beyond the upcoming presidential election.
The arithmetic is plain: the plan ends after Nigerians have voted. After three and a half years of hardship, this government is asking families to carry another promise into the polling booth and wait for relief until the votes are counted.
Phrank Shaibu, the Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC presidential campaign, made these remarks during a press conference at the party secretariat in Abuja. He noted that with the presidential election scheduled for January 16, a 90-day intervention plan would effectively conclude after the electorate has already cast their ballots.
The government’s plan outlines five key priorities: food affordability, tax harmonisation, the completion of key projects, the removal of investment bottlenecks, and household support. Shaibu argued that these are long-standing issues that should have been addressed much earlier in the administration’s tenure rather than being introduced as an election-season initiative.
Shaibu further challenged the administration to provide transparency regarding the proposed household assistance, specifically requesting details on the budget, eligibility criteria, payment arrangements, and the sustainability of the support once the 90-day period expires. He also questioned the effectiveness of previous government interventions, such as promised fuel discounts, and called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to publish data on beneficiaries and participating stations.
Additionally, the ADC campaign raised concerns regarding a registration form titled “Arise for Tinubu 2027,” which reportedly requests voter identification, bank details, and phone numbers. Shaibu questioned the necessity of such data collection for public relief programmes and warned against the potential political misuse of personal information.
The campaign council urged Nigerians to evaluate the current administration based on its economic record over the past three and a half years rather than relying on last-minute promises. Shaibu reiterated that the ADC’s platform remains focused on reducing the cost of living and making life more affordable for citizens.