The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has criticised the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for attributing Uber’s exit from Nigeria to the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu, describing the party’s position as “ignorant and embarrassing.”
TMSG said Uber had clearly stated that its decision to discontinue its ride hailing operations in Nigeria and Uganda was part of a global restructuring exercise that included the layoff of about 3,300 employees worldwide.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group accused the ADC of exploiting the development to push what it described as a negative political narrative against the Tinubu administration.
“Any Nigerian who has been monitoring the political scene in recent months would have accurately predicted that a rudderless party like the African Democratic Congress (ADC) would jump on Uber’s exit to mock the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC),” the group said.
TMSG argued that the ADC’s interpretation of Uber’s decision was inconsistent with the company’s explanation and broader business activities in Nigeria.
“While Uber had emphasised that it was leaving Nigeria and Uganda owing to its global restructuring that also entailed laying off about 3,300 employees worldwide, ADC opted to describe its exit from Nigeria as a reaction to the economic policies of the President Bola Tinubu administration,” it said.
The group further claimed that Uber had faced operational challenges involving riders in Nigeria, adding that other ride-hailing companies operating in the country had not indicated plans to leave the market.
“We would have been more worried if Uber had blamed the Nigerian economy or government policies, which other ride hailing companies could also use as excuses to follow Uber out of the country,” TMSG said.
It noted that Uber had also withdrawn from Tanzania and Côte d’Ivoire in the previous year, arguing that the company’s decisions across African markets should not be interpreted solely through the lens of Nigeria’s economic policies.
TMSG also pointed to Uber’s investment in Nigeria through its acquisition of a major stake in Spanish startup Glovo, which it said lists Nigeria as its fastest growing market globally.
According to the group, Glovo paid its Nigerian partners N71 billion over three years, which it cited as evidence of the opportunities still available in the Nigerian market.
“It is also interesting that as Uber is exiting e-hailing business in the country, it has acquired a major stake in Spanish startup, Glovo, which incidentally lists Nigeria as its fastest growing market in the world,” the statement said.
TMSG said the development contradicted the ADC’s description of Nigeria as a “graveyard of businesses,” arguing that companies were still investing and expanding in the country.
The group also cited the planned return of Okin, a popular Nigerian biscuit brand, to production after a 17-year shutdown of its factory.
“It therefore beggars belief that a party posturing as an alternative to the ruling APC would be so cheap and loose to go to the extent of playing politics with a strictly business decision of a company,” TMSG said.
The group urged Nigerians to distinguish between corporate decisions arising from global business restructuring and developments directly attributable to domestic economic policies.
