Nigeria’s main opposition party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has accused President Bola Tinubu’s government of deliberately manipulating food prices to create a false sense of economic progress for political gain.
In a strongly-worded statement, the party alleged the administration is “weaponising hunger” and sabotaging local farmers through its policies.
The ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said recent reports of falling food prices were misleading. He claimed the drop is artificial and driven by import waivers that have “flooded the market with cheap foreign food.”
“ADC is deeply concerned by the Federal Government’s misleading narrative around the so-called drop in food prices,” the statement read. “The reality on the ground… is that the Tinubu government is manipulating food prices and weaponising hunger for political gains.”
The party detailed two key reasons for its accusation. First, it argued that the government’s narrative of increased local production is “dishonest” given the severe insecurity in many farming regions.
“How can production be increasing when the rural economy is under siege by bandits, and the costs of planting are now beyond the reach of the average farmer?” the party questioned.
Secondly, the ADC warned that the strategy of using food imports to lower prices is unsustainable and damaging in the long run.
“It is neither evidence of sound policy nor proof of increased local production,” the statement continued. “While that may offer momentary relief… it has, and will, come at the heavy cost of sabotaging local farmers who can no longer compete.”
The party concluded that the government’s actions were a short-term political tactic. “This is propaganda. What we are witnessing is a deliberate manipulation of food prices for short-term political gain… Any present drop in price is temporary, unsustainable and driven by panic, not strategy and deliberate planning.”
The ADC is now calling for a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s agricultural strategy to focus on protecting local farmers, ensuring price stability, and achieving long-term food sovereignty.
The allegations come as the Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, acknowledged the price drop was a concern for farmers. Speaking at a Senate hearing, he said the government was seeking ways to ensure farmers have access to credit and affordable inputs.
“Consumers may be happy with the price drop, but farmers are not,” the minister admitted.
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