ADC Criticizes Tinubu: “You Can’t Buy Northern Support with Political Appointments”

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has openly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent series of appointments, accusing him of attempting to restore lost trust among Northern Nigerians after a prolonged period of neglect.

This strong criticism was conveyed through an official statement released on Saturday by Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary. According to the ADC, Tinubu’s appointments reflect a reactionary political strategy aimed at damage control rather than a genuine effort towards fostering national inclusion.

In the party’s words:
“You cannot ignore and marginalize an entire region for over twenty-five months, then expect commendation just because you’ve decided, in the twenty-sixth month, that Nigeria extends beyond Lagos State,” the statement declared.

Further, the ADC emphasized that Tinubu’s government has persistently marginalized the North, excluding the region from significant policy decisions and power-sharing arrangements since his tenure began. The party insisted that these recent high-profile appointments are merely superficial efforts designed to pacify the region rather than integrate it into the heart of national governance.

“Northerners, as equal stakeholders in Nigeria’s federal structure, are discerning enough to recognize the difference between genuine inclusion and mere political tokenism. President Tinubu’s gestures are transparent attempts at appeasement without substance. Symbolism can never replace effective governance,” Abdullahi stressed.

The ADC also called on President Tinubu to forsake what it described as “Bourdillon-style appeasement politics” — a reference to political strategies associated with Lagos State’s power dynamics — and to instead prioritize authentic national unity. The party urged the administration to engage in comprehensive consultations across all regions, enforce equitable policies, and strictly adhere to the principles embedded in the federal character of Nigeria.