The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has described the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s reaction to Uber’s exit from Nigeria as ignorant, embarrassing and politically motivated.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group said Uber had clearly attributed its decision to leave Nigeria and Uganda to a global restructuring exercise, which included cutting about 3,300 jobs worldwide.
TMSG accused the ADC of ignoring the company’s stated reasons in an attempt to blame the development on the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“Only a party fixated on searching for negative narratives about Nigeria would turn a straightforward business decision into a political attack,” the group said.
It noted that Uber had also exited Tanzania and Côte d’Ivoire last year, adding that the company’s decision was therefore not unique to Nigeria.
TMSG further argued that Uber’s investment in Glovo, a Spanish startup that identifies Nigeria as its fastest-growing market, contradicts the ADC’s claim that Nigeria has become a “graveyard of businesses.”
According to the group, Glovo paid its Nigerian partners N71 billion over three years, demonstrating the continued potential of the Nigerian market.
It also cited the planned return of Okin biscuits after a 17-year shutdown as further evidence that businesses are still investing in and returning to Nigeria.
“While Uber is exiting one line of business, it is investing in another with a major footprint in Nigeria. This clearly exposes the ADC’s narrative as misleading,” TMSG said.
The group advised the ADC to show greater understanding of business realities and desist from politicising every corporate decision in the country.
