By Anamati Inyang
December 17, 2025
Across Nigeria today, the rising cost of living has moved from being an economic statistic to a daily reality felt in homes, markets, workplaces.
From food prices to transportation, rent; many Nigerians say survival has become a struggle. Unsurprisingly, the growing hardship has triggered sharp political reactions from the ruling All Progressives Congress APC and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party PDP, both offering competing explanations and responses.
For the PDP, the current economic hardship is a direct outcome of what it describes as poorly conceived policies under the APC led federal government.
The opposition party has consistently accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of worsening inflation, deepening poverty, failing to protect ordinary Nigerians from economic shocks.
In several public statements, PDP leaders have pointed to the soaring prices of food items, basic necessities as evidence that government policies are not working. Party spokespersons have argued that millions of Nigerians can no longer afford decent meals, warning that hunger and frustration are spreading across the country. The PDP has also linked recent tragic incidents, including stampedes at food distribution centres, to widespread desperation caused by economic hardship.
According to the party, the government has failed to prioritize the welfare of citizens, urging an urgent review of economic policies that it says are pushing Nigerians to the brink. PDP leaders insist that without immediate intervention, the gap between the political elite and the masses will continue to widen.
The APC, on its part, has rejected claims that it is insensitive to the suffering of Nigerians. Party leaders argue that the country is undergoing difficult but necessary reforms aimed at stabilizing the economy in the long term. According to the ruling party, the current hardship is a temporary phase, resulting from efforts to correct structural problems inherited from previous administrations.
APC officials have accused the opposition of exaggerating economic challenges for political advantage, especially with the 2027 general elections in view. They maintain that government initiatives in agriculture, infrastructure, monetary policy will eventually ease inflation, improve living standards.
At the same time, some voices within the ruling party have acknowledged the pressure Nigerians are facing. APC chieftains have admitted that food prices, transportation costs remains high, attributing the situation to insecurity, exchange rate instability, global economic pressures. They have called for targeted interventions to support farmers, reduce transport costs, cushion the impact on low income earners.
Beyond party exchanges, public frustration continues to grow. Civil society groups, economic analysts warn that prolonged hardship could have serious social consequences if not urgently addressed. Many Nigerians say political arguments offer little comfort when wages cannot meet basic needs.
As the cost of living remains a dominant national issue, it is clear that economic performance will shape political conversations in the coming years. With the next general elections approaching, both APC and PDP are positioning themselves to control the narrative, while millions of Nigerians wait for tangible relief from a crisis that has already tested their resilience.
