TMSG Slams ADC Over Uber Exit, Calls Reaction ‘Ignorant, Embarrassing’
Oru Leonard
The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG), has described the reaction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to Uber’s decision to exit Nigeria as “ignorant and embarrassing.”
TMSG said the ADC’s position was misplaced because Uber had clearly stated that its decision to leave Nigeria and Uganda was part of a global restructuring exercise.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group accused the ADC of attempting to exploit the development to attack the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
TMSG said the opposition party had demonstrated what it described as a pattern of “surfing and scrummaging the internet for any negative narrative on the country” in an attempt to discredit the government.
According to the group, Uber’s explanation for its withdrawal included a global restructuring programme involving the layoff of about 3,300 employees worldwide.
It said the ADC, instead of considering the company’s stated reasons, attributed the exit to the economic policies of the Tinubu administration.
“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,” TMSG said.
The group further argued that a proper understanding of the Nigerian ride-hailing market would have shown that Uber had previously experienced challenges involving its riders in the country.
TMSG said it would have been more concerned if Uber had specifically blamed Nigeria’s economy or government policies for its departure, noting that such a reason could have created concerns that other ride-hailing companies might follow suit.
It added that other operators were instead expressing confidence in the Nigerian market and were positioned to fill any gap created by Uber’s departure.
The group also noted that Uber had previously exited Tanzania and Côte d’Ivoire, arguing that its departure from Nigeria should therefore not automatically be interpreted as an indication of economic decline.
‘Uber Investing in Nigeria Through Glovo’
TMSG also cited Uber’s acquisition of a major stake in Spanish startup Glovo as evidence that the company still sees significant opportunities in markets such as Nigeria.
According to the group, Glovo identifies Nigeria as its fastest-growing market globally and has paid its Nigerian partners N71 billion over three years.
TMSG argued that Uber’s continued investment in a business with a significant Nigerian footprint contradicted the ADC’s description of Nigeria as a “graveyard of businesses.”
The group said the development showed that businesses could still identify and exploit opportunities in the Nigerian economy despite the challenges facing the country.
TMSG further pointed to the reported comeback of Okin, one of Nigeria’s popular biscuit brands, after a 17-year shutdown of its factory, describing it as another indication of renewed business activity.
It said it was therefore “cheap and loose” for a political party seeking to present itself as an alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to politicise what it described as a strictly business decision by a multinational company.
TMSG maintained that the ADC should have examined the facts surrounding Uber’s restructuring before linking its exit from Nigeria to the policies of the Tinubu administration.
