AAC Party Knocks Tinubu Over Economic Policies, Calls On Nigerians To Reject Hardship In 2027 Elections | Sahara Reporters

The party called on Nigerians to embrace an alternative economic direction focused on reducing the cost of living, creating jobs, providing affordable energy and strengthening local industries ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The African Action Congress (AAC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, accusing his administration of failing to translate its touted economic reforms into affordable living conditions for millions of Nigerians.

The party called on Nigerians to embrace an alternative economic direction focused on reducing the cost of living, creating jobs, providing affordable energy and strengthening local industries ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The AAC made the call in a statement issued on Thursday, October 1, 2026, by its National Chairman, Samuel Ajeigbe, in response to Tinubu’s Independence Day address marking Nigeria’s 66th anniversary of independence.

In the statement titled “A Call on Nigerians to Support Our Alternative Economic Direction to Cut Down the Cost of Living and Deliver an Affordable Life for All,” the party faulted the President’s defence of his economic agenda, arguing that millions of Nigerians continue to suffer the consequences of policies the government presents as necessary reforms.

The party particularly criticised Tinubu’s warning against returning to the petrol subsidy regime, questioning why Nigerians should continue to bear what it described as unbearable economic costs without corresponding improvements in their living conditions.

According to the AAC, the central issue is not whether the country should return to the former subsidy system, but why the government has yet to make basic necessities affordable for ordinary citizens.

The statement read, “The President’s declaration that Nigerians must resist the ‘siren song’ of returning to petrol subsidy is particularly revealing.

“The real question is not whether Nigerians should return to the old subsidy regime. The question is why Nigerians should continue paying an unbearable price for an economic policy that has failed to translate into affordable living.”

The party explained that the removal of petrol subsidy had significantly increased the cost of transportation, food production, goods and services, leaving households struggling to cope with rising expenses.

It maintained that Nigerians experience the impact of economic policies through the prices of food, transportation fares, electricity bills, rent, school fees and access to healthcare rather than through government economic statistics.

The AAC also questioned the benefits of the economic growth, foreign reserves and increased investment highlighted by Tinubu, asking whether the gains had translated into improved living standards for ordinary Nigerians.

“The President speaks of growth, foreign reserves and rising investment. But what does this growth mean to the millions of Nigerians who cannot afford three decent meals a day?” the party asked.

On poverty, the AAC cited the National Bureau of Statistics’ Multidimensional Poverty Index, which found that 62.9 per cent of Nigerians, representing approximately 133 million people, were multidimensionally poor.

However, the party acknowledged that the survey predated the Tinubu administration and should not be interpreted as a measure of Nigeria’s poverty rate in 2026.

It stated that the figures demonstrated the scale of the poverty crisis the current administration inherited and promised to address.

The party further questioned the administration’s handling of the economy nearly three years into Tinubu’s presidency, arguing that Nigerians were still being asked to endure hardship while the promised prosperity remained largely theoretical.

On insecurity, the AAC said the government’s claims of progress should be assessed against the continuing loss of lives and displacement of communities across the country.

It said that no economic reform could be considered successful if citizens remained unable to farm, travel, conduct business and live safely in their communities.

“The government cannot continue to demand patience from Nigerians while presenting hardship as evidence that its medicine is working,” the party said.

The party insisted that Nigeria did not have to choose between the previous petrol subsidy regime, which it described as wasteful, and the high cost of living Nigerians currently face.

However, it advocated a third path centred on building a productive economy, generating employment, guaranteeing affordable energy, strengthening domestic industries and restoring purchasing power to citizens.

The AAC said it had consistently advocated an alternative economic model that prioritised the welfare of Nigerians over policies that place the burden of economic adjustment on ordinary citizens.

“Our position is simple: government must reduce the burden on Nigerians, not continually explain why Nigerians should endure it,” the statement said.

The party also maintained that Nigeria had sufficient resources to provide affordable energy, expand employment opportunities, improve public healthcare and education, strengthen domestic production and protect citizens from the rising cost of basic necessities.

It attributed the country’s failure to achieve these objectives to what it described as a lack of political direction capable of prioritising public welfare over the interests of political elites and entrenched economic beneficiaries.

While acknowledging Tinubu’s declaration that Nigeria had reached a turning point, the AAC said the country needed a different approach to economic governance rather than further speeches defending the hardship experienced by citizens.

“As Nigerians mark 66 years of independence, the AAC calls for a national political realignment around policies capable of bringing down the cost of living and restoring dignity to ordinary citizens,” the statement said.

The party also urged Nigerians to use the 2027 elections to examine the competing political programmes presented by parties and candidates, specifically highlighting the economic programme of the AAC and its presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.

It said the forthcoming elections would offer voters an opportunity to consider alternative approaches to economic management and national development.

According to the party, the central question facing Nigerians is whether the country should continue with policies that require citizens to make sacrifices without sufficient relief or pursue an economic model that places their welfare, productivity and dignity at the centre of development.