The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is sounding the alarm, telling President Bola Tinubu that his economic policies are pushing Nigerians to the absolute edge. Their national publicity secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, stated in a release that with petrol now hitting a staggering N1,470 per litre, the cost of getting around, buying food, and even sending children to school has become a luxury many can no longer afford.

"President Tinubu has turned the petrol pump into an instrument of punishment for everyday Nigerians," the party declared. They’re pointing out that this high fuel price doesn't just affect drivers; it sends shockwaves through the entire economy, jacking up the cost of almost everything Nigerians need to simply live.

The ADC also highlighted the pain felt in the education sector, noting widespread reports of private schools hiking their fees by a massive 30 to 40 per cent. Meanwhile, most people's salaries haven't budged an inch, meaning parents aren't earning any extra cash to cover these ballooning costs.

It's not like the school owners are rolling in cash either, the party clarified. They’re also struggling with higher taxes, insane electricity bills, the cost of fuel for their own operations, rent, and the need to pay their staff a living wage. So, in the end, it’s parents, workers, and businesses all taking a hit.

The party has labelled the current pump price a "Tinubu Tax." Nigerians, they say, have been squeezing their belts under the APC administration for a long time, but now they’re starting to choke. Families are skipping meals, pulling kids out of school, ditching medical appointments, and even shutting down businesses because they just can't keep up anymore.

And the ADC isn't happy about public officials living large on taxpayer money while demanding more sacrifices from ordinary citizens. They argue that any economic reform that consistently makes the people poorer is clearly not working.

"When parents must choose between feeding their children and educating them, the government has failed spectacularly in its most basic responsibility."

The ADC is framing the upcoming 2027 general election as a clear choice: either continue down the path of Tinubu's policies or embrace the relief programme offered by their presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. Atiku has pledged to bring down petrol prices by reintroducing subsidies to boost local fuel production, which they believe will then lower the costs of food, transport, and general production.

"Unlike Tinubu and APC, we recognise that economic reform must serve the people, not sacrifice them," the party stated. They find it unacceptable that Nigeria, an oil-producing nation, has citizens who dread visiting the filling station.

The ADC is urging President Tinubu to take immediate action, warning that resilience shouldn't be mistaken for acceptance of ongoing hardship. They believe he has had ample time and inflicted enough pain already.