In a scathing response to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s New Year Speech, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has labeled it a compilation of deceit, unfounded claims, and promises lacking substance. The party asserts that the address fails to align with the gravity of the challenges facing the nation and deems it as lacking in presidential demeanor and inspiration.
In an official statement signed National Publicity Secretary Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the PDP expresses disappointment that President Tinubu’s speech did not adequately address pressing issues such as insecurity, dilapidated infrastructure, a stagnant manufacturing sector, a daunting 28% inflation rate, the continuous depreciation of the Naira, escalating unemployment, and widespread poverty. The party attributes these challenges to what they perceive as the misguided policies and programs implemented by the current administration.
Critically, President Tinubu is accused of sidestepping the issue of incompetence, insensitivity, and alleged financial impropriety within his administration, factors that, according to the PDP, have placed the nation in dire straits.
The PDP decries the absence of any mention in the New Year address regarding the Christmas Eve massacre in Plateau State, where over 200 Nigerians lost their lives to terrorist activities. The party questions President Tinubu’s silence on the ongoing violence that has claimed over 5000 lives across various states since May 29, 2023, under his watch.
The PDP lambasts the President for asserting that all his decisions and actions have been in the best interest of the country. They argue that decisions such as the significant hike in fuel prices, currency devaluation, and a budget skewed towards luxury rather than economic revival and job creation contradict the notion of acting in the nation’s best interest.
Furthermore, the PDP accuses the administration of undermining constitutional and democratic institutions, attempting to weaken the National Assembly, and compromising the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by appointing card-carrying APC members as Resident Electoral Commissioners.
President Tinubu’s claim that his policies, despite their negative consequences, are in the nation’s interest is viewed by the PDP as an admission of deliberately subjecting Nigerians to hardship to enforce compliance with an alleged authoritarian agenda.
The PDP calls on President Tinubu to use the New Year as an opportunity to apologize to Nigerians and present concrete steps to address the country’s challenges, including the exodus of multinational companies. The party also demands a comprehensive account of the nation’s earnings, particularly from the removal of petroleum product subsidies, amid allegations of diversion to private pockets of APC leaders and associates.
The PDP, urges the National Assembly to fulfill its constitutional oversight role and hold the Executive accountable for the nation’s financial affairs.
