Tinubu cannot buy Nigerians’ votes with cash, gifts — ADC

The Presidential Campaign Council of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, of distributing cash, gifts and food at political gatherings to generate support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.

The ADC said the alleged practice amounted to an attempt to buy public support amid worsening economic hardship and growing dissatisfaction with the Tinubu administration.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the council condemned what it described as a growing pattern of inducements by APC operatives at campaign events.

It cited reports of luxury vehicles allegedly presented to APC women leaders, cash and cooked food reportedly distributed by the President’s son through the City Boy Movement, as well as videos showing an APC women leader sharing money and fabrics.

“The pattern is becoming impossible to ignore. From reports of luxury vehicles presented to APC women leaders, to cash and cooked food distributed by the President’s son through the City Boy Movement, and now videos circulating of an APC women leader handing out money and fabrics, the ruling party appears to be treating political support as something that can be bought,” the statement said.

The ADC also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to investigate the reported distributions and determine whether any laws had been breached.

It questioned what it described as different standards in the treatment of ordinary Nigerians accused of abusing the naira and political operatives allegedly distributing cash at campaign events.

“The same authorities that have pursued ordinary Nigerians over alleged abuse of the Naira must explain why apparent cash distribution by political operatives at campaign events should be treated differently,” it said.

The opposition party argued that the alleged distribution of money and gifts was an attempt to divert attention from economic hardship, insecurity and rising public debt.

“After three and a half years of economic hardship, rising insecurity and mounting public debt, the APC has little to show Nigerians. Its answer is to display cash and gifts at political events, as though a brief handout can erase the daily struggle families face or buy their votes,” it added.

The ADC further accused the Tinubu administration of pushing millions of Nigerians deeper into poverty and failing to provide satisfactory answers about government borrowing.