A fierce battle over economic accountability erupted ahead of the 2027 general elections as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) confronted the Director-General of President Bola Tinubu’s Re-election Campaign, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, demanding a full accounting of N15.8 trillion in post-subsidy reform revenue.
​The political showdown took place at the ADC National Secretariat in Abuja on Sunday, August 30, 2026, during a media briefing led by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.
The briefing was organized in direct response to statements made on Saturday, August 29, at Yari’s Abuja residence during a visit by the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC), chaired by Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda.
​During that meeting, Yari had dismissed promises by former Vice President and ADC candidate Atiku Abubakar to institute targeted fuel subsidies as an impossible “lie,” arguing that the previous subsidy scheme cost up to N20 trillion annually and lacked transparency.
​Rejecting Yari’s stance, Abdullahi argued that the ruling party cannot demand another four-year term while offering nothing more than rhetoric to citizens struggling under severe inflation.
​”‘Endure’ is not an economic policy,” Abdullahi stated. “The real issue isn’t about who shouts ‘liar’ the loudest. It’s about who can put food on tables, lower transportation costs, and govern responsibly. Senator Yari must tell Nigerians: after N15.8 trillion in extra resources, record allocations, and three years of sacrifice, are citizens better off?”
​Key points highlighted by the opposition include; Finance Ministry data shows N15.8 trillion was generated between June 2023 and December 2025, splitting N5.4 trillion to the Federal Government, N5.4 trillion to states, and N3.9 trillion to local councils. Despite monthly FAAC distributions exceeding N2 trillion, petrol prices skyrocketed from N185 per litre in May 2023 to over N1,300 per litre.
Despite state receipts jumping to N47.25 trillion over three years, about 20 states still racked up N458 billion in new loans in 2025 alone, with little visible impact on public infrastructure or healthcare.
The ADC criticized the administration’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) transit initiative, characterizing it as underpowered and far too late to alleviate the daily burden of transport costs.
​Clarifying its policy stance, the ADC emphasized it does not advocate returning to the opaque, corrupt subsidy regimes of the past. Instead, the opposition party pledged that its platform will prioritize expanding domestic refining capacity alongside transparent, targeted price relief measures.
