‘Nigeria Is Not a Game’ — ADC Blasts Tinubu’s Comment Amid Hardship and Insecurity

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken a swipe at President Bola Tinubu over a recent remark he made during a public event, saying the statement suggests a worrying gap between the realities faced by Nigerians and the tone of the country’s leadership.

The criticism followed a comment by the President at an interfaith Iftar held on Wednesday night. While speaking at the gathering, Tinubu said “the game is sweet only when you are winning.”

Reacting to the development, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, questioned the context of the President’s statement and what it means for Nigerians currently grappling with severe economic pressure and rising insecurity.

In a post shared on his X handle, Abdullahi asked whether it was necessary to examine who exactly is benefitting from what he described as a “so-called game.”

“It is important to ask the President: Who exactly is winning in this so-called game?” he said.

The opposition party argued that the present condition of many Nigerians makes it difficult to view the nation’s political situation as a game.

Abdullahi pointed to the security challenges affecting several communities and the economic hardship confronting households across the country.

He asked a series of questions aimed at highlighting the struggles of ordinary citizens.

“Are Nigerians winning when communities are attacked and citizens are killed?”

“Are Nigerians winning when graduates cannot find jobs?”

“Are Nigerians winning when families cannot afford food and basic necessities?”

“Are Nigerians winning when the brightest young people see their future only outside their own country?”

According to the ADC spokesman, the current situation in the country demands seriousness from those in authority. He said political leadership should reflect the weight of the office and the responsibility attached to it.

The party insisted that many Nigerians are dealing with deep economic strain and uncertainty about security, adding that such circumstances should not be framed in terms that suggest a competitive game.

“If politics is a game to the President, the Nigerian people are the ones paying the price,” the statement added.

The party further stressed that the country requires leadership that is fully aware of the challenges facing citizens and committed to addressing them with urgency.

“Nigeria does not need a gamer-in-chief. Nigeria needs a leader who understands the weight of the office he holds and the responsibility it carries,” Abdullahi stated.