The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticized the Federal Government for allegedly misrepresenting recent comments made by World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, regarding Nigeria’s economy.
In a statement issued Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC argued that Okonjo-Iweala’s remarks were a call for urgent action to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians—not an endorsement of the Tinubu administration’s economic policies.
The WTO chief had, after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, commended efforts to stabilise the economy but emphasized the need for robust social safety nets to shield vulnerable citizens from the harsh effects of ongoing reforms. However, according to the ADC, government officials chose to “celebrate the headlines” rather than address the substance of her message.
“Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s comments were not a blanket approval of the government’s actions,” the statement read. “Instead, she highlighted the need for real economic growth, job creation, and measures to protect Nigerians from worsening poverty caused by these poorly implemented reforms.”
The party accused the administration of using Okonjo-Iweala’s words to deflect criticism and legitimize economic policies that have, in its view, inflicted severe hardship on the populace.
“Economic stability is meaningless when it does not translate into improved living standards for the majority,” the ADC noted, urging the government to focus less on public relations and more on addressing the root causes of economic distress.
