‘Nigerians Can’t Eat GDP Figures’ — ADC Slams Tinubu Over Hunger Crisis

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has slammed the Tinubu administration for celebrating Nigeria’s rebased Gross Domestic Product (GDP), calling it a public relations stunt that ignores the worsening living conditions of ordinary Nigerians.

In a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, the party’s national publicity secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, accused the federal government of masking economic hardship with “statistical cosmetics.”

According to Abdullahi, the administration’s fanfare over new GDP numbers amounts to economic deception.

He argued that real economic growth must translate into food on the table, affordable goods in the market, and improved living standards not just updated statistics.

“Economic growth is meaningless if people remain poor, hungry, and hopeless,” he said.

“While government officials cheer rebased GDP figures, Nigerians are battling skyrocketing food prices, collapsing infrastructure, and grinding poverty.”

From Africa’s Giant to Fourth Place

The ADC noted that Nigeria’s GDP fell from $509 billion in 2014 to $244 billion in 2024, pushing the country from Africa’s largest economy to fourth place behind South Africa, Egypt, and Algeria.

Abdullahi blamed the drastic fall on poor leadership, failed reforms, and rampant economic mismanagement.

“This is not progress it’s a damning indictment,” he said.

Though the nominal GDP in naira has climbed to ₦373 trillion, the ADC insisted this figure means little due to massive currency devaluation and inflation that have eroded purchasing power.

“Statistical Tricks Can’t Hide Suffering”

The party accused the APC-led government of manipulating GDP figures to justify more borrowing while neglecting fiscal discipline.

“GDP per capita has crashed from $3,223 in 2014 to barely $1,000 today,” Abdullahi stated.

He emphasized that the administration continues to waste public funds through bloated budgets while over 90% of revenue goes to debt servicing.

No Real Progress in Key Sectors

The ADC criticized the government for failing to stimulate real productivity in agriculture, manufacturing, and innovation.

“Nothing has improved not electricity, not healthcare, not education, not income.

The government simply repackaged old numbers to sell a false narrative of success,” the party said.

It further claimed that the Tinubu administration seeks to use the rebased GDP to artificially improve the debt-to-GDP ratio, thereby creating room for more reckless borrowing.

“But Nigerians aren’t fooled,” the party said. “Ask anyone on the street if they feel better off today, and you’ll get a clear answer: No.”

“You Can’t Rebase Hunger

The ADC concluded by urging the government to focus on genuine reforms that touch lives, not propaganda.

“Rebasing GDP doesn’t generate electricity or reduce hunger. It doesn’t fix broken hospitals or improve security,” Abdullahi said.

“If Tinubu wants to rebase anything, he should start by rebasing the national grid, healthcare, and education. Rebase hunger, not headlines.”

The party added, “This rebasing exercise is not a win. It’s a warning a verdict on a wasted decade of hollow promises and leadership failure.”

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