Rauf Aregbesola, the disputed National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has branded President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda a “scam”, alleging that the administration’s promises have failed to materialise.
Speaking Tuesday at the party’s national convention in Abuja, the former Osun State governor argued that nearly three years into the current tenure, the government’s core pledges remain unfulfilled.
He accused the Tinubu administration of exacerbating Nigeria’s socio-economic hardships rather than alleviating them.
The former minister of interior cited deteriorating national indicators as evidence of governance failure.
He noted that the number of out-of-school children has risen from 18.3 million to 20 million, while approximately 130 million Nigerians are now classified as living in multidimensional poverty.
Aregbesola also criticised the federal government’s management of national security, describing the current period as one of escalating banditry and terrorism.
He specifically highlighted a perceived lack of empathy from the president following the 2025 Yelwata massacre in Benue State, noting that the president remained at the state government house rather than visiting the affected community during a condolence visit.
Warning against a drift toward “kakistocracy”, a government run by the least qualified, Aregbesola called for greater accountability regarding the nation’s electricity supply.
According to him, an honest leader would step down rather than seek re-election if they failed to meet fundamental commitments like providing consistent power.
Addressing internal party matters, Aregbesola defended David Mark’s leadership as ADC chairman, asserting that all processes followed due course and that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had been formally notified.
He further accused INEC of partisanship and alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is “jittery” due to the ADC’s growing influence as a major opposition platform.
