ADC Accuses Federal Government of Weaponising Poverty, Manipulating Food Prices

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government of weaponising poverty and manipulating food prices for political advantage.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party alleged that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has been dishonest in its claims of improved local food production and a reduction in the cost of food items.

According to the ADC, the Federal Government’s narrative of declining food prices does not reflect the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians and farmers across the country.

“Contrary to what is being celebrated in official circles, the reality on the ground, as confirmed by struggling farmers and families across the country, is that the Tinubu government is manipulating food prices and weaponising hunger for political gain,” Abdullahi stated.

The party argued that the reported decline in food prices is artificial, driven by the importation of cheap foreign food following government waivers, and not a result of effective agricultural policies or improved domestic production. It warned that such measures, while offering temporary relief, could harm local farmers who are already burdened by high input costs and worsening insecurity.

“The current drop in price is temporary, unsustainable, and driven by panic, not strategy or deliberate planning,” the ADC said, describing the situation as propaganda aimed at creating an illusion of economic progress.

The party further questioned the Federal Government’s claim that no imported food has been released into the market, asking why food would be stored while citizens face hunger.

“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?” the statement read.

The ADC called for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s agricultural policy framework, condemning what it described as the “weaponisation of hunger” and urging the government to prioritise long-term strategies that strengthen local production and ensure food security.