By Gabriel Ameh
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) of misleading Nigerians over recent claims about rising poverty levels in the country.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the opposition party misrepresented findings discussed during a policy dialogue organised by Agora Policy, which suggested that Nigeria’s poverty rate had increased from 49 percent to 63 percent.
Morka argued that the ADC’s interpretation ignored the broader economic context, particularly reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu since assuming office in May 2023.
According to him, key policy decisions such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of foreign exchange rates were necessary steps to address structural distortions in Nigeria’s economy and avert what he described as looming fiscal instability.
The APC spokesperson stated that the fuel subsidy regime had, for decades, placed a heavy burden on government finances, consuming large portions of public revenue while benefiting middlemen and encouraging fuel smuggling across borders.
He added that funds previously spent on subsidies are now being redirected to critical sectors including infrastructure, education and healthcare.
Morka further noted that the federal government has introduced several social support initiatives to cushion the impact of the reforms on vulnerable Nigerians, including cash transfer programmes, student loan schemes and policies promoting the adoption of compressed natural gas (CNG).
While acknowledging that the reforms have created short-term economic pressure, the APC maintained that the economy is beginning to show signs of recovery, citing improvements in gross domestic product growth, stronger foreign reserves and increasing non-oil exports.
The party reaffirmed that the government will continue implementing economic reforms aimed at building a more resilient and sustainable Nigerian economy.
