The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticized the reported approval of a significant sum of N500 million as the first installment of a purported N1 billion approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the inauguration of a 37-man Tripartite Committee on New National Minimum Wage. The alleged approval was reportedly contained in a leaked memo by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.
In an official statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the PDP denounced the approval of such a substantial amount for what it described as a routine government activity like committee inauguration. The party labeled it as the epitome of profligacy, imprudence, and financial recklessness, further reinforcing its stance that the Tinubu-led government is rife with corruption, where officials engage in brazen treasury-looting.
The PDP expressed outrage that amidst the nation’s acute food shortage, widespread starvation, and delayed salary payments to workers, President Tinubu allegedly sanctioned the expenditure of N1 billion for the committee’s inauguration. The statement highlighted that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation initially requested an audacious sum of N1.8 billion for the event, later scaled down to N1 billion, with President Tinubu purportedly directing to “start with N500 million first.”
The opposition party accused the APC administration of being insensitive and neglectful of Nigerians’ plight, referencing President Tinubu’s characterization of citizens as “ordinary people out there” during his 2024 budget presentation at the National Assembly. The PDP asserted that such actions underscore how national funds intended for citizens’ welfare are being recklessly looted by officials of the Tinubu-led APC administration.
The statement further referenced reported instances of misappropriation within the administration, citing the alleged plundering of over N44 billion in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation as evidence of systemic corruption.
Calling on the Tinubu Presidency to address the allegations, the PDP demanded transparency and accountability, especially during a period of economic hardship for Nigerians. Additionally, the party urged the National Assembly to exercise its constitutional powers under Section 88 to initiate an immediate investigation into the matter, stressing its significance to the welfare and concerns of Nigerians nationwide.
