Nigeria’s opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) says President Bola Tinubu’s 90-day cost-of-living plan would end after the Jan. 16, 2027, presidential election, putting the timing of promised relief at the center of campaign criticism.
Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, made the claim in a statement, BusinessDay reported Oct. 23. The council accused Tinubu of misleading voters with a program whose 90-day period, it said, would conclude after the election. “The plan ends after Nigerians have voted,” Shaibu said, according to BusinessDay.
Nigeria’s National Economic Council endorsed the proposal on Oct. 22, according to a statement attributed to the Office of the Vice President and signed by Stanley Nkwocha, senior special assistant to the president on media and communications. The council considered the plan at its 161st virtual meeting, where Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele presented it and Vice President Kashim Shettima chaired. The statement described the proposal as part of Tinubu’s economic reforms, but did not give a start date, funding details or rules for household assistance. EconoTimes previously reported on the gaps in the NEC-backed plan.
Shaibu said government support had not been sufficient for households facing higher food, transport and production costs after the petrol subsidy was removed, BusinessDay reported. He questioned the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s discount scheme, saying he bought petrol at N1,405 per liter despite an advertised N66 reduction. He asked the company to disclose who received discounts and which stations took part.
The spokesman also sought details on the proposed household aid, including its budget, qualification rules and payment process. He called on Tinubu to address whether living standards had improved since May 2023 and whether families would be able to afford food after the 90-day program expires. Nigeria’s presidential election is scheduled for Jan. 16, 2027.
