'Seun Ibukun-Oni
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fiercely responded to recent criticisms by the All Progressives Congress (APC), labeling the ruling party a “group of political vampires” who are responsible for Nigeria’s current economic and social crisis.
The PDP's National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, issued a bold statement, accusing the APC of exploiting the country's resources for the benefit of a few, while subjecting millions of Nigerians to extreme hardship.
In the statement, the PDP strongly condemned the APC’s attack on Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State. Governor Makinde had previously spoken out about the dire conditions Nigerians are facing, criticizing the APC administration for its inability to address key issues like insecurity, economic decline, and the skyrocketing cost of living. The APC, in turn, launched an offensive against Makinde, which the PDP described as a "reckless" and "insensitive" display of arrogance, particularly in the face of mounting public discontent.
“The attack on Governor Makinde is an indication that the APC is jittery, as its days in power are numbered,” Ologunagba stated. “Nigerians have seen through their lies, falsehoods, and incompetent governance. The APC can no longer deceive the people, who are suffering from policies that are worsening the country’s problems.”
The PDP accused the APC of presiding over an administration that thrives on “grabbing power, looting national resources, and running with the nation's patrimony at the expense of citizens.” They went further to describe the party as a “haven for power grabbers, treasury looters, and manipulators,” pointing to what they said were widespread acts of corruption among APC leaders. The statement also singled out the extreme economic challenges Nigerians face, including high unemployment rates, the collapse of critical infrastructure, and severe inflation.
The PDP dismissed APC claims that the country is on the "cusp of prosperity," pointing to the dire economic situation as proof of the ruling party's failure. “In the midst of worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and widespread hunger, the APC continues to live in an alternate reality,” the statement said. “Nigerians are living in poverty, with over 100 million people unable to afford basic necessities.”
The opposition party also criticized the APC’s handling of the national currency, noting the drastic depreciation of the Naira. Under the PDP’s watch, the Naira traded at around N168 to the US Dollar, but under the APC government, the exchange rate has plummeted to almost N2,000 to the Dollar. Fuel prices have also skyrocketed, with the cost of petrol now exceeding N1,500 per liter—up from N87 when the PDP was in power.
Further inflaming tensions, the PDP provided stark comparisons of inflation under the APC, citing how the cost of basic food items has risen sharply since the party took power. A bag of rice that once cost N8,000 has now soared to over N100,000, while the price of beans has increased from N250 to N3,800 per measure. Basic staples like garri have seen similar price hikes, with a measure that previously cost N100 now retailing at N1,500.
"The APC’s so-called ‘voodoo economy’ has plunged millions into poverty, and while Nigerians struggle to survive, corrupt leaders in the party continue to loot the treasury and fund their lavish lifestyles," the PDP charged.
In the face of these accusations, the PDP maintained that its governors, particularly in states controlled by the opposition, continue to deliver meaningful results for their people. They praised Governor Makinde's leadership in Oyo State, where infrastructure development and human capital projects have been a central focus. The PDP claims that states under its control remain "oases of development" in contrast to APC-led states, which they argue are plagued by mismanagement and stagnation.
The statement concluded with a firm prediction about the APC’s future. “The APC's days are numbered,” Ologunagba declared. “As the country moves towards the next general election in 2027, the Nigerian people will not forget the APC's failures. By February 2027, the APC will be sent to political oblivion where it truly belongs."
The PDP’s confidence stems from a belief that Nigerians are growing increasingly disillusioned with the current government’s inability to deliver on its promises and manage the country's affairs effectively. The opposition party remains committed to unseating the APC in the upcoming election, promising to restore good governance and tackle the pressing challenges facing the nation.
