Tayo Busayo, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent address regarding the ongoing protests in Nigeria, describing it as diversionary and insufficient in addressing the core issues facing the nation.
In a press statement issued on August 4, 2024, the PDP asserted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration is insensitive to the plight of Nigerians and has failed to respond adequately to the country’s precarious situation. The PDP expressed disappointment that it took significant public pressure for President Tinubu to address the nation and noted that his speech did not offer concrete solutions to the pressing problems.
The speech by President Tinubu came amidst widespread protests across Nigeria, driven by economic hardship, rising fuel prices, and the depreciation of the Naira. Protesters, many of whom are young Nigerians, have been calling for better governance, economic relief, and an end to police brutality. The government's response to these protests has been a point of contention, with accusations of excessive force used against demonstrators.
According to the PDP, Tinubu’s speech did not tackle the immediate demands of the citizens, which include reducing the price of petroleum products, stabilizing the Naira, and intervening urgently to provide food for starving Nigerians. The party also criticized the President for not ordering an investigation into the alleged brutal killings of unarmed protesters by security forces during the demonstrations.
“Mr. President’s speech failed to offer any concrete measure to address the excruciating hardship in the country,” the statement read. “It is equally shocking that the speech did not order an investigation into the brutal killing of unarmed Nigerians by certain unscrupulous operatives of the APC-controlled security agencies while demanding good governance, protection, security, and welfare, which are the primary purposes of government.”
The PDP accused Tinubu’s speech of being self-congratulatory and out of touch with the reality on the ground, focusing on what the party described as imaginary achievements and empty projections instead of addressing the immediate suffering of Nigerians.
“Such only reinforces public apprehension that the APC administration is uncaring and impervious to the suffering and pains of millions of Nigerians, particularly the youths whose dreams, hope, and aspirations are being dashed by the APC,” the PDP stated.
The party further claimed that the APC administration is overwhelmed and lacks solutions to the numerous problems caused by its policies, which they described as anti-people and suffocating life in the country. The PDP urged the APC to admit its failures and be open to alternative views and suggestions, emphasizing that Nigerians need solutions, not rhetoric.
The PDP called on President Tinubu to recognize the dire state of the nation and take immediate action to address the people’s demands. Specifically, they urged the President to reduce the cost of petroleum products, stabilize the Naira, and take steps to provide food to the populace.
“President Tinubu should cut the size of governance, expenditure on luxury items, and free more resources for immediate intervention towards the wellbeing of Nigerians,” the statement concluded.
The press statement was signed by Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, underscoring the party’s commitment to holding the current administration accountable and advocating for the needs of the Nigerian people.
