The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has accused President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to divert public attention from the administration’s economic challenges through what it described as political propaganda.
The Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, made the allegation in a statement issued on Saturday, October 24, 2026, in response to a statement by Dele Alake, who accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the ADC of alleged attempts to spread misinformation through artificial intelligence manipulation and deepfake videos.
Shaibu described Alake’s statement as a desperate attempt to distract Nigerians from the APC’s record in government, insisting that no evidence had been presented to link Atiku or the ADC to the alleged fabricated materials.
He challenged Alake to provide names, dates, and forensic findings to substantiate the allegations, arguing that accusations without supporting evidence should not be treated as established facts.
According to him, the APC has adopted a pattern of making allegations against political opponents while avoiding questions about its performance in government.
Shaibu also criticised the Tinubu administration over the rising cost of living, citing petrol prices, diesel costs, and persistent food inflation as evidence of the economic difficulties facing Nigerians.
He further referenced a World Bank poverty estimate reported by Reuters, arguing that the administration’s economic policies had worsened living conditions for millions of citizens.
The ADC campaign spokesman also questioned the circumstances surrounding the security arrangements for an APC campaign billboard, following Tinubu’s reported description of a vehicle near the billboard as part of a routine patrol.
Shaibu said Nigerians were entitled to ask questions about the reported protection of campaign materials, adding that the APC should also address reports of supporters allegedly transported from distant states and left sleeping on the streets of Kaduna.
He further raised concerns over reports of accidents involving APC supporters travelling from Sokoto and Abuja to attend the rally.
Although he acknowledged that details of the reported incidents remained unconfirmed, Shaibu called on the APC to account for the safety of supporters travelling to its campaign events.
He described the alleged transportation arrangements as political exploitation, arguing that the safety and dignity of citizens should take priority over efforts to create the impression of massive support at campaign rallies.
Shaibu also questioned Tinubu’s reported campaign schedule across 12 states, suggesting that the movement of supporters between locations could create a misleading impression of widespread public backing.
He argued that transporting supporters from one rally to another did not necessarily demonstrate spontaneous nationwide support for the ruling party.
The ADC spokesman maintained that the APC could organise rallies, deploy buses, and erect campaign billboards but could not manufacture genuine public acceptance through such activities.
He said Nigerians were increasingly concerned about rising prices, declining purchasing power, and what he described as the administration’s failure to fulfil its promises.
Shaibu added that political attacks against Atiku would not address the economic challenges confronting households, insisting that the government should focus on reducing the cost of living.
He expressed confidence that Nigerians would reject the APC in the next election, describing the party’s record as one that could not be defended through propaganda or political statements.
The statement concluded with a campaign message promoting Atiku’s proposed economic alternative, declaring: “Bola made life expensive; Atiku will make Nigeria affordable again!”
The APC’s allegations against Atiku and the ADC, as well as the claims concerning supporters travelling to the Kaduna rally, remain matters requiring evidence and responses from the parties involved.
