Former Minister of Sports and interim spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has declared that President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda has crumbled into what he described as “hopelessness.”
Naijaonpoint reports that Abdullahi, while speaking on his stand on Tinubu’s administration, cited worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and lack of accountability in government.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired on Wednesday, Abdullahi said the newly adopted ADC coalition aims to provide Nigerians with a credible political alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former minister said, “In two years, hope has become hopelessness. Look at the parameters, people are dying every day, people are being shot and displaced, and the government is doing nothing, acting like it is Christmas.”
Abdullahi said the coalition chose the ADC not merely to seek power, but to build a party grounded in equity, internal democracy, and strong values.
He said, “We are trying to give Nigeria an alternative. God forbid we get to 2027 and there’s no viable alternative.”
Describing the ADC as a vehicle for long-term political reform, Abdullahi stated that the coalition was committed to establishing an institution that would withstand the test of time.
“This is not just about elections. It’s about building a values-based party where discipline is entrenched and every member is equal,” he said.
Responding to criticism from former ADC presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, who accused the coalition of hijacking the party “through the back door,” Abdullahi dismissed the remarks as rooted in bitterness and irrelevance.
He said, “That’s just a sense of exclusion talking. I tried to Google him and couldn’t find anything beyond the fact that he once ran for office. I’m only six months older than him, yet he claims to speak for the youth.”
Abdullahi also dismissed calls to look beyond the political class for leadership, insisting that Nigeria’s solution lies in reforming politics, not abandoning it.
He further stated, “Politics is played by politicians, not by farmers or bankers. If the ones in power failed, do we go to Ghana or South Africa to import politicians?”
Abdullahi assured that the coalition-led ADC is being structured to instil systems of discipline, mutual respect, and fairness.
“Our handshake logo symbolises agreement and mutual respect. We are building a party where the rules matter and everyone plays by them,” he said.