The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Tinubu of using the Federal Government’s proposed N50,000 monthly cash relief programme to win back public support ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The opposition party described the intervention as an election gimmick, alleging that its timing was driven by the Tinubu administration’s reaction to growing public dissatisfaction and the ADC’s campaign promise to reduce the cost of living.

In a press statement issued on Saturday, October 31, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party questioned the government’s motive for announcing the financial intervention after years of economic hardship.

The ADC alleged that the announcement followed its decision to make affordability and reducing the cost of living central issues in its political campaign ahead of the 2027 elections.

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“President Tinubu is in full panic mode now. Since the ADC and our Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, have made affordability and reducing the cost of living the cardinal focus of our campaign, the government has been announcing one desperate intervention or another,” Abdullahi said.

The party recalled previous government announcements, including a $1 billion Renewed Hope Social Intervention Fund, a 30-day fuel discount, cheaper transportation arrangements scheduled for October 1 and a N70,000 transportation allowance for workers.

According to the ADC, several of the announced interventions had failed to produce the promised results, describing the latest N50,000 cash relief announcement as another attempt by the government to gain public approval.

“They are just thrashing around, hoping that something would stick,” the statement added.

The opposition party also questioned the purchasing power of the proposed N50,000 payment, arguing that the amount would offer limited relief to households struggling with rising food, transportation and healthcare costs.

“What exactly is N50,000 supposed to buy in Tinubu’s Nigeria today? How much food can a family purchase with that amount? How much transport can it cover? And for how long?” the party asked.

It further described the intervention as “a desperate and cynical attempt to buy back the goodwill of the people,” adding that the proposed payment was “too little, too late.”

The ADC accused the Tinubu administration of failing to adequately address the economic consequences of its reforms, arguing that the government had ignored warnings about the hardship the policies could impose on Nigerians.

The party questioned why financial assistance for vulnerable Nigerians was not incorporated into the government’s economic reform plans from the beginning.

“If they could give N50,000 to vulnerable Nigerians, why didn’t they factor it into reform plans from day one rather than make it an election-season handout?” the statement queried.

The party further alleged that the government’s handling of previous intervention programmes raised concerns about accountability and the possibility of public funds being diverted.

It cited findings by the Auditor-General concerning billions of naira allocated to previous cash transfer programmes, which it said could not be properly accounted for.

The ADC demanded explanations over the findings and questioned whether officials responsible for the management of the previous intervention funds had been held accountable.

“What has happened to the findings of the Auditor-General concerning the billions of naira in previous cash transfers that could not be properly accounted for? Have those responsible been held accountable?” the party asked.

The opposition party also challenged the government to explain why Nigerians should trust another intervention programme involving billions of naira when questions surrounding previous funds remained unresolved.

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has declared that he has no deal to share legislative or local government area-seats with the Osun chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor made the clarification amidst social media reports that the deal between the governor and the presidency include sharing of local government positions as well as those of Senate, House of Representatives and State Assembly between Osun Accord and the state APC in the forthcoming elections.

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The governor who reaffirmed his commitment to the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the negotiation for the resolution of the local government crisis targets protection of the interests of both the APC chairpersons and those of the elected PDP chairmen and councillors, affirming that reports of office sharing remain mere fabrication and fake news.

“As the governor of all Osun indigenes and residents, we are working to resolve the local government matter by ensuring that all interests are protected and cared for. As at now, all stakeholders agreed that restoring grassroots governance is a condition for our successful campaign ahead of the 2027 elections”, the governor posited.

While assuring that the local government crisis will be resolved before the end of the year, the governor submitted that he did not enter into any agreement to share legislative seats with the Osun APC as has been rumoured, declaring that “what unites the coalition partners is only the presidential elections.

“As I said while inaugurating the Presidential Campaign Council, the coalition is targeted at the presidential election. Partners agreed to join hands to ensure our dear president is re-elected. All other legislative positions are open for competition. I will work and campaign for Accord candidates for Senate, House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly.

“I urge all political parties to campaign for their candidates as I will do for Accord candidates. We have no deal on the National Assembly and the State Assembly elections. All our candidates will face the electorate who has the final say”, Adeleke said.

The spokesperson of the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, Kenneth Okonkwo, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of creating a potential conflict of interest ahead of the 2027 general elections, alleging that allowing the wife of Segun Sowunmi to head the commission’s Electoral Operations Department amounts to rigging the election before it takes place.

Okonkwo made the allegation during an appearance on ARISE News on Wednesday, where he questioned the appropriateness of the appointment and argued that the position carries responsibilities capable of influencing the conduct of elections.

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Explaining his objection, the lawyer and political commentator said the issue was not necessarily whether the appointee would act impartially, but whether the relationship could create a reasonable perception of bias.

“We are not talking about whether there will be bias. We are saying that anything that has the likelihood of bias is not allowed,” he said.

He compared the situation to legal and medical professions, arguing that certain relationships are considered inappropriate when they could compromise professional independence.

“That is why your father cannot be a judge in your own case. Your father may be the most honest person in the whole world, but cannot be a judge in your own case if you are the son. It is illegal,” Okonkwo said.

He also cited an instance involving a senator whose wife was a judge, arguing that personal relationships could raise questions about impartiality in the handling of official responsibilities.

Okonkwo said the Electoral Operations Department plays a central role in the administration of elections, particularly in the distribution of electoral materials and the deployment of personnel.

Listing the department’s responsibilities, he said it oversees the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials, recruits and trains ad hoc staff, and coordinates polling unit and collation operations.

According to him, these responsibilities make the position particularly important to the credibility of the 2027 elections.

“So allowing the wife of Sowunmi to be the electoral operations department officer is rigging the election before the time,” he said.

He further argued that the appointment should be considered against the political affiliations of those involved, referencing Sowunmi’s political association and his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He alleged that the circumstances surrounding the appointment created a risk of bias, insisting that the concern was about the possibility of compromised electoral neutrality rather than proof that election manipulation had already occurred.

When asked to provide evidence that the election had already been rigged, Okonkwo maintained that the likelihood of bias was sufficient to warrant concern.

“No, I’m telling you, there is absolute likelihood of bias. I’m telling you what the law says,” he said.

He also questioned the integrity of the voters’ register, alleging that deceased persons remained listed among registered voters.

“What is going on in the voters register? You can see how dead people are still found there. Akeredolu is still there,” he said.