The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu's administration, declaring that the "weaponization of poverty" has become the government's most significant achievement since taking office.

In a statement signed by the party's National Publicity Secretary and former Cross River State governorship candidate, Dr. Effiong Efa Nyong, the ADC characterized Tinubu's governance as ushering in "a second wave of slavery" through economic hardship imposed on Nigerians.

According to the opposition party, the hardship began immediately after Tinubu took office with what they described as a "reckless" announcement removing the petroleum subsidy. This action, they claim, marked the beginning of severe economic difficulties for Nigerians, particularly affecting the youth.

"The government has consistently increased tariffs across virtually every sector of life, including electricity, transportation, communication, healthcare, and education," Nyong stated in the release. He further condemned what he termed as "multiple taxation of unimaginable proportions" that has allegedly become the norm under the current administration.

The ADC's criticism extends beyond economic policies to broader governance issues. The party lamented that in the ten years of APC rule, Nigerians have endured "terrible hardship without any comparable development, state-sponsored intimidation, recklessness, harassment, sex scandals, judicial somersaults, and legislative compromises."

Drawing a literary parallel, the opposition party likened the situation to George Orwell's "Animal Farm," suggesting a betrayal of the principles that were initially promised to Nigerians.

"What happened to the promises of good governance, economic growth, and national unity?" the statement questioned. "Two years into the reign of the 'messiah,' our economy lies in shambles, the family unit is disintegrating, ritual killings are on the rise, and repentant terrorists now help massacre our sons and daughters."

The ADC also accused the APC-led government of relying on propaganda and coercing political figures to defect to their party while trivializing the nation's serious challenges.

As of the time of reporting, there has been no official response from the presidency or the ruling APC to these allegations.