LAGOS, Nigeria – August 25, 2025 – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has launched a scathing critique of Nigeria’s two dominant political parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing them of prioritizing political ambition over the welfare and security of Nigerian citizens. The condemnation comes in the wake of a high-profile meeting of PDP governors held in Zamfara State on Saturday, August 23, just days after devastating coordinated attacks by gunmen left 24 people dead, 16 injured, and 144 others abducted across several communities in the state.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday, August 24, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the PDP governors’ gathering as “grossly insensitive” and a direct affront to the grieving families and communities affected by the recent violence. The statement underscored the deepening frustration among Nigerians with the political elite, whom the ADC accused of being detached from the realities of widespread insecurity and suffering.
A Meeting Amid Mourning
The PDP governors’ meeting, held in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State, was intended to address internal party matters and strategize for upcoming political engagements. However, the timing and optics of the event drew sharp criticism from the ADC, which argued that the gathering was ill-timed given the fresh wounds inflicted by the recent attacks. According to security reports, the coordinated assaults targeted rural communities in Zamfara, with gunmen storming villages, killing residents, and abducting scores of people, including women and children. The attacks, attributed to bandit groups that have plagued Nigeria’s northwest for years, have further highlighted the region’s worsening security crisis.
The ADC’s statement painted a vivid picture of the disconnect between Nigeria’s political class and its citizens. “Instead of the governors rallying around their embattled colleague, the Governor of Zamfara, to confront the violence devastating his state, they chose to hold a political show of strength at the very scene of mass killings, trampling on the memory of those who died,” the statement read. The ADC pointed to images circulating on social media and in the press, showing PDP governors dressed in ceremonial attire, smiling for cameras, and engaging in what appeared to be festive interactions. These images, the ADC argued, were “distasteful” and “completely out of place” in an atmosphere still shadowed by mourning, bloodshed, and fear.
The Zamfara attacks, which occurred in multiple villages across the state’s rural areas, have added to the growing toll of violence in Nigeria’s northwest. According to local authorities, the assailants operated with impunity, overwhelming poorly equipped security forces and leaving communities defenseless. The abductions, in particular, have raised alarm, with fears that the victims may be subjected to ransom demands, forced labor, or worse. The ADC’s criticism of the PDP governors’ meeting was not only about the event itself but also about what it represents: a broader pattern of political insensitivity in the face of human tragedy.
Broader Critique of Nigeria’s Political Class
The ADC’s statement did not spare the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing both major parties of consistently placing power and political maneuvering above the needs of Nigerians. “This act alone reinforces what has become glaring: neither the ruling APC nor the chronically troubled PDP shows genuine concern for the people. Their sole focus remains power and the politics around it,” Mr. Abdullahi stated. The ADC argued that the behavior of the PDP governors in Zamfara was emblematic of a deeper malaise within Nigeria’s political system, where leaders prioritize personal and party interests over governance and public welfare.
The ADC’s critique resonates with growing public discontent in Nigeria, where citizens have long expressed frustration with a political class perceived as out of touch. In recent years, the country has grappled with a multitude of challenges, including widespread insecurity, economic hardship, and deteriorating infrastructure. The northwest, in particular, has become a hotspot for banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence, with Zamfara and neighboring Katsina State bearing the brunt of the crisis. Despite repeated promises from both the APC-led federal government and state administrations, the security situation has shown little improvement, leaving communities vulnerable and disillusioned.
The ADC also directed criticism at President Bola Tinubu, accusing his administration of failing to take decisive action to address the escalating violence in Zamfara and other affected regions. “The absence of firm, coordinated action from the presidency in response to the spate of killings in Zamfara and Katsina is alarming,” the statement read. The ADC called for a more proactive approach, including increased deployment of security forces, better equipping of local police, and investment in community-based intelligence to combat the banditry scourge.
The Zamfara Crisis in Context
To fully understand the ADC’s outrage, it is essential to examine the broader context of the security crisis in Zamfara State. For over a decade, Nigeria’s northwest has been plagued by armed groups commonly referred to as “bandits.” These groups, often operating in loosely organized gangs, have engaged in cattle rustling, kidnapping for ransom, and indiscriminate attacks on villages. The violence has displaced thousands of people, disrupted agriculture, and deepened poverty in an already economically disadvantaged region.
Zamfara, in particular, has become a focal point of the crisis. The state’s vast rural areas, coupled with its porous borders and limited security presence, have made it a haven for criminal elements. The recent attacks, which claimed 24 lives and resulted in the abduction of 144 people, are part of a pattern of violence that has left residents living in constant fear. Local authorities have struggled to respond effectively, hampered by logistical challenges, inadequate funding, and allegations of corruption within the security apparatus.
The human toll of the crisis is staggering. Families have been torn apart, with many victims of abductions never returning home. Ransom payments, often demanded in the millions of naira, have bankrupted households and fueled the bandits’ operations. Women and children are particularly vulnerable, with reports of sexual violence and forced marriages in bandit camps. The ADC’s statement highlighted the plight of these victims, noting that the political class’s apparent indifference only compounds their suffering.
Political Reactions and Counterarguments
The ADC’s accusations have sparked debate within Nigeria’s political and civil society circles. Supporters of the PDP have defended the governors’ meeting, arguing that it was a necessary part of party operations and not intended to downplay the Zamfara attacks. A PDP spokesperson, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that the governors were deeply concerned about the security situation and had discussed it during their meeting. “The governors are not oblivious to the challenges in Zamfara. The meeting was a platform to strategize on how to support the state and address broader national issues,” the spokesperson said.
However, this defense has done little to quell public anger. Civil society groups and local residents in Zamfara have echoed the ADC’s sentiments, accusing politicians of exploiting their suffering for political gain. “When people are dying and families are in pain, you don’t hold a party meeting in their backyard,” said Aisha Mohammed, a community leader in Gusau. “It’s like dancing on the graves of the dead.”
The APC, while not directly implicated in the Zamfara meeting, has faced its own share of criticism. The party’s leadership has been accused of failing to deliver on its 2015 campaign promises to tackle insecurity. Despite increased budgetary allocations for defense and security, banditry, insurgency, and communal clashes continue to plague the country. The ADC’s statement called for a bipartisan approach to addressing the crisis, urging all political actors to set aside partisan differences and prioritize the safety of Nigerians.
The Role of the ADC in Nigeria’s Political Landscape
The African Democratic Congress, while not as dominant as the APC or PDP, has positioned itself as an alternative voice in Nigeria’s political arena. The party, founded in 2005, has sought to appeal to voters disillusioned with the two major parties, advocating for policies centered on transparency, accountability, and social justice. The ADC’s latest statement is consistent with its broader mission to challenge the status quo and hold the political elite accountable.
However, the ADC faces significant challenges in translating its rhetoric into electoral success. Nigeria’s political system is heavily dominated by the APC and PDP, which command vast resources, patronage networks, and grassroots support. Critics of the ADC argue that while its critiques are valid, the party lacks the organizational strength and national presence to effect meaningful change. Nonetheless, the ADC’s outspokenness on issues like the Zamfara crisis has earned it a degree of respect among Nigerians seeking alternatives to the entrenched political duopoly.
A Call for Action
The ADC’s statement concluded with a call for urgent action to address Nigeria’s security crisis. The party urged the federal government to prioritize the deployment of additional security forces to Zamfara and other affected states, improve coordination between federal and state agencies, and invest in long-term solutions such as job creation and education to address the root causes of banditry. The ADC also called on civil society, religious leaders, and community organizations to unite in demanding accountability from elected officials.
The statement emphasized the need for a collective national response to the crisis. “The bloodshed in Zamfara is not just a Zamfara problem; it is a Nigerian problem,” Mr. Abdullahi said. “Until our leaders put the people first, we will continue to see these tragedies unfold.”
The Way Forward
As Nigeria grapples with the fallout from the Zamfara attacks and the broader insecurity crisis, the ADC’s accusations have brought renewed attention to the disconnect between the country’s political class and its citizens. The images of PDP governors smiling amidst a backdrop of mourning have become a powerful symbol of this divide, fueling public anger and calls for change.
For many Nigerians, the ADC’s statement is a reminder of the urgent need for leadership that prioritizes human lives over political ambition. The Zamfara crisis, like so many others before it, underscores the fragility of Nigeria’s security and the devastating consequences of inaction. As the nation mourns the lives lost and prays for the safe return of those abducted, the question remains: will Nigeria’s leaders rise to the occasion, or will the cycle of violence and political posturing continue?
The ADC, for its part, has vowed to keep the pressure on both the APC and PDP, using its platform to advocate for a more responsive and compassionate government. Whether this will translate into meaningful change remains to be seen, but for now, the party’s voice is a clarion call for accountability in a nation desperate for solutions.
