African Democratic Congress Accuses Federal Government of Manipulating Food Prices for Political Gains

In a strongly-worded critique, the African Democratic Congress has accused the Tinubu administration of manipulating food prices and using hunger as a political weapon amid Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges.

The opposition party, through its spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi, disputed recent government claims about declining food prices, describing them as “misleading” and “artificial.” According to the ADC, any reported drops in food costs stem from import waivers flooding markets with foreign products rather than genuine improvements in domestic production.

“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 on Tuesday.

The ADC argued that the temporary relief from lower prices comes at a significant cost to local agriculture. Nigerian farmers, already facing mounting challenges from soaring input costs—particularly fertilizer prices—and persistent security concerns, now find themselves unable to compete with cheaper imported alternatives.

This situation represents what the party describes as a short-sighted approach that creates an “illusion of economic progress” while undermining domestic food security in the longer term.

The opposition party expressed particular skepticism about the sustainability of any price reductions, characterizing them as “temporary, unsustainable, and driven by panic, not strategy or deliberate planning.” The ADC maintains that genuine improvements in Nigeria’s food situation would require addressing the fundamental issues of agricultural productivity, farmer support, and rural security.

Nigeria’s agricultural sector has faced multiple challenges in recent years. Widespread insecurity in farming communities, particularly in the country’s northern regions, has disrupted planting and harvesting cycles. Simultaneously, rising costs for agricultural inputs, exacerbated by currency devaluation and global supply chain disruptions, have squeezed smallholder farmers who produce most of the nation’s food.

The ADC also challenged the government’s claim that it hasn’t released imported food stocks into markets, presenting a troubling alternative interpretation: “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 allegations come amid broader concerns about Nigeria’s food security. International organizations have warned about increased risk of food insecurity in parts of the country, with inflation pushing essential foodstuffs beyond the reach of many families. Food inflation has consistently outpaced overall inflation, creating particular hardship for lower-income households who spend a larger proportion of their income on basic sustenance.

President Tinubu’s administration has previously highlighted agricultural investment and food security as priorities, launching initiatives aimed at boosting domestic production. Government spokespersons have pointed to specific policy measures, including support for smallholder farmers and efforts to address security challenges in agricultural regions.

However, the ADC’s critique suggests a significant gap between government rhetoric and the lived experiences of Nigerian citizens struggling with food costs. The opposition party concluded its statement by calling for “a complete overhaul of the current agricultural approach,” suggesting the need for more comprehensive and sustainable strategies to address the nation’s food challenges.

As Nigeria continues to navigate complex economic reforms, the debate over food policy and price manipulation highlights the political tensions surrounding basic economic issues in Africa’s most populous nation.