ADC Accuses Federal Government of Weaponising Hunger, Calls Economic Narrative ‘Deceptive’

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government of deliberately manipulating food prices and weaponising hunger for political advantage, describing the administration’s claims of improved local food production as “dishonest and misleading.”

In a strongly worded statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the government’s celebration of what it calls a drop in food prices is “a deliberate falsehood” aimed at creating an illusion of progress while millions of Nigerians continue to face severe hunger and economic hardship.

“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is deeply concerned by the Federal Government’s misleading narrative around the so-called drop in food prices. Contrary to what is being celebrated in official circles, the reality on the ground, as confirmed by the voices of struggling farmers and families across the country, is that the Tinubu government is manipulating food prices and weaponising hunger for political gains,” Abdullahi stated.

According to the party, the reported decline in food prices is artificial and driven by government-approved import waivers that have flooded Nigerian markets with cheap foreign products. The ADC argued that such measures undermine local farmers and do not represent any meaningful increase in domestic production.

“The reported drop in the prices of some food items is artificial and a result of import waivers that have flooded the market with cheap foreign food. It is neither evidence of sound policy nor proof of increased local production,” Abdullahi said.

The statement added that while Nigerians may experience temporary relief, the long-term effects would be devastating for local producers who are already struggling with rising input costs, worsening insecurity, and lack of access to government support.

The ADC further criticised the administration’s claim that its agricultural policies are boosting local production, calling it “strange and dishonest” in light of the widespread displacement of farmers by banditry and rising costs of planting materials.

“How can production be increasing when the rural economy is under siege by bandits, and the costs of planting are now beyond the reach of the average farmer?” the party queried.

The opposition party also accused the government of making “false and cynical” denials regarding the release of imported food into the market. “If we are to even momentarily entertain this falsehood, it begs an even more damning question: why is the government hoarding food while the people go hungry? What sort of administration stores food in warehouses during a hunger crisis?” it said.

Describing the current food price situation as “propaganda-driven,” the ADC warned that the temporary decline was unsustainable and motivated by panic rather than sound economic planning. The party alleged that the administration’s actions were politically calculated to create a short-term illusion of stability ahead of future elections.

“What we are witnessing is a deliberate manipulation of food prices for short-term political gain, designed to create the illusion of economic progress while citizens continue to suffer. Any current drop in price is temporary, unsustainable, and driven by panic, not deliberate planning,” Abdullahi added.

The ADC called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s agricultural and economic policies to protect local farmers, stabilise prices, and guarantee food security. The party urged the government to stop using hunger as a political tool and instead prioritise citizens’ welfare.

“The ADC condemns in the strongest terms the weaponisation of hunger and calls for a complete overhaul of the current agricultural approach. We must protect local producers, address rural insecurity, and invest in long-term food sovereignty, not temporary political optics,” Abdullahi declared.

He concluded by urging the government to embrace honesty and compassion in governance, insisting that Nigerians deserve genuine relief, not manipulation.

“The Nigerian people deserve truth and food, not deception and a false narrative of renewed hope,” the ADC said.