Economic growth means nothing if it leaves the majority of the people behind and is not felt on the dining table and in the marketplace
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu’s announcement of a rebased GDP, describing it as a cynical public relations stunt disguised as economic progress. The opposition party argued that while government figures may look good on paper, Nigerians continue to endure widespread hunger, poverty, and insecurity.
ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi declared: “Economic growth is not about dressed‑up numbers that make the government look good. Economic growth means nothing if it leaves the majority of the people behind and is not felt on the dining table and in the marketplace.” The statement suggested that rebasing the economy fails to address the real suffering experienced by citizens.
The party pointed out that GDP per capita has plunged from $3,223 in 2014 to approximately $1,000 today, a decline worsened by currency devaluation and lack of improvements in infrastructure, healthcare, and security. It added: “Nigeria’s GDP has now collapsed to $244 billion in a single decade.”
The ADC challenged the administration to “rebase the national grid into 24‑hour electricity rebase hospitals back to life rebase the country away from hunger.” The party concluded that the GDP adjustment is mere cosmetics without real, inclusive development.
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