As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marked his 74th birthday on March 29, 2026, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) seized the occasion to publicly assess his leadership — and to urge a stronger focus on governance.
In a statement released to coincide with the anniversary of Tinubu’s birth, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi offered both a birthday greeting and an unflinching critique of the administration’s performance since it took office.
Abdullahi described the presidency as “a presidency whose impact is now impossible to ignore,” warning that many Nigerians were feeling the effects of policy choices on everyday life. The party spokesman pointed to sharp increases in fuel costs — which have surged from around ₦200–₦255 per litre at the start of the administration to over ₦1,000 in many parts of the country — as evidence of deepening economic strain for households and commuters.
Security concerns also featured sharply in the ADC’s assessment. Abdullahi cited Nigeria’s rise to fourth on the Global Terrorism Index, and lamented what he characterized as a failure to curb violence that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced families in recent years. He criticised what he viewed as weak responses from the government and public messaging that, in his words, sometimes “blurs accountability.”
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The statement also warned of a perceived narrowing political space, raising concerns about democratic openness as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
Despite his critiques, Abdullahi extended birthday wishes to President Tinubu, urging him to use the coming year to “take governance more seriously” and to lead with a renewed sense of responsibility for Africa’s most populous nation.
President Tinubu has previously responded to birthday felicitations from various quarters with messages of gratitude and continued commitment to national service, although official responses to the ADC’s specific criticisms have not been issued at the time of publication.
