‘ADC leaders are real scammers’: Presidency fires back at Aregbesola, defends Tinubu’s policies

The Presidency has lashed out at the former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, over his comments against the administration of President Bola Tinubu, describing politicians within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as lacking credibility and direction.

Aregbesola, who is the national secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had described President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda as a “scam”.

Speaking at the party’s national convention in Abuja on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the former governor of Osun State said the promises made by the Tinubu government had yet to materialise nearly three years into its tenure.

He therefore called on Tinubu to resign over economic challenges and insecurity in the country.

Reacting via a statement on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, accused Aregbesola of hypocrisy, saying the former minister failed to acknowledge his own record in office before criticising the current administration.

Onanuga stated that Aregbesola’s eight-year tenure as governor of Osun State was characterised by financial difficulties, unpaid salaries, and hardship for workers and pensioners.

Onanuga said Osun State experienced severe fiscal strain, with civil servants reportedly receiving partial salaries for months.

He added that the financial challenges left behind by Aregbesola required significant intervention by his successor, Gboyega Oyetola, while the present administration under Ademola Adeleke is still addressing lingering issues.

“This is the same man who now has the effrontery to attack the Tinubu administration, despite his tenure in Osun leaving a legacy of unpaid salaries, financial recklessness, abandoned projects, and misguided policies that brought the state to ruin. His immediate successor, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, worked hard to clean up much of the mess left behind, and Governor Adeleke is still dealing with the consequences,” the presidential spokesman stated.

Onanuga also criticised Aregbesola’s performance as Minister of Interior during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, citing multiple prison breaks and challenges in passport processing during the period.

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He said several correctional facilities were attacked across the country, resulting in thousands of inmates escaping, and questioned Aregbesola’s authority to criticise the current government on security matters.

The presidential spokesman, however, acknowledged that economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration had initially caused hardship but noted that the government had rolled out relief measures, including wage adjustments, support for vulnerable households, and assistance for small businesses.

Onanuga also highlighted ongoing investments in security, including enhanced support for the military and intelligence agencies, as well as partnerships with foreign governments to combat terrorism and banditry.

He maintained that the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda was yielding results, pointing to improvements in economic indicators, investor confidence, and market performance.

Onanuga said: “The administration’s Renewed Hope Programme is on track and has received global praise. We have seen the effects of how it has increased GDP and our foreign reserves, made our country the toast of investors, and made our stock market bullish and prosperous.

“No, Rauf, the Renewed Hope Agenda is not a scam. The real scammers are the politicians gathered inside the SPV called ADC.”