ADC Criticizes Tinubu’s Northern Appointments as Insufficient

 The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Tinubu of attempting to “buy back” political support in Nigeria’s northern region with what it deems “token appointments,” a statement issued on July 19, 2025, by the party’s National Chairman, Ralphs Okey Nwosu. 

The criticism follows Tinubu’s recent nomination of several northern figures to mid-level positions in his administration, including the appointment of a new director at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. The ADC argues that these moves fail to address the region’s pressing issues, such as a 40% poverty rate and ongoing insecurity, with over 1,200 deaths reported in banditry attacks this year alone.

The party, which has gained traction as a coalition partner with opposition groups, contends that the appointments, numbering fewer than 10 in a cabinet of 48, lack the strategic depth needed to restore confidence among northern voters, who overwhelmingly supported Tinubu in 2023. Nwosu called for a comprehensive economic plan, including a 20% increase in agricultural funding, rather than what he described as “political handouts.” 

The Tinubu administration has yet to respond, but allies defend the appointments as part of a phased integration strategy. The ADC’s stance reflects growing regional discontent, with northern governors hinting at a unified opposition stance ahead of 2027, though analysts question the party’s ability to mobilize effectively.