In a strong condemnation, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed alarm over what it characterizes as President Bola Tinubu’s ill-conceived economic strategies, which have swiftly inflicted severe hardships on Nigerian citizens and further intensified the nation’s security predicaments.
The principal opposition party has issued a significant warning, asserting that Nigeria is currently teetering on the edge of an economic precipice under the administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by Tinubu.
Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, conveyed these concerns in a statement released in Abuja on Monday.
He lamented, “The Party is deeply troubled by the precarious state of affairs under the Tinubu-led APC administration, which lacks the approval and support of the people, resulting in an atmosphere of governance void within the country.”
Ologunagba further elaborated, “Our Party is deeply concerned that there exists a significant disconnect between the government and the citizens due to the rushed and poorly planned implementation of policies that have brought about unbearable hardships, alarming insecurity, and an overarching sense of anxiety that is already jeopardizing our nation’s peace, unity, and existence.”
He criticized the administration’s lack of foresight and empathy in removing subsidies and devaluing the Naira, which has caused an unprecedented surge in the cost of living, the collapse of numerous businesses, widespread job losses, and a surge in poverty, hunger, insecurity, and hopelessness across the nation.
The dire situation has led to a worrying decline in investor confidence, resulting in international companies exiting the country and leaving countless Nigerians unemployed, with detrimental implications for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which are the backbone of the national economy.
“The gravity of the situation is evidenced by the fact that over the past two months, more than 150 million Nigerians are unable to afford their daily meals, leading to families going to bed hungry,” Ologunagba added.
He criticized the APC’s ineffective efforts, stating, “It is distressing that the APC government continues to tout its questionable palliative program, which provides a meager average of 1,200 bags of rice to each State in the country.”
The PDP further lamented the government’s disregard for the welfare of Nigerians, exemplified by its lack of action even after the abduction of over 500 citizens and the killing of others in various states. The opposition party found the government’s response to be deeply inadequate.
“The recent tragedy of a Nigerian military aircraft being shot down, resulting in the loss of brave military personnel’s lives, underscores the APC government’s lack of responsiveness,” Ologunagba commented.
Under the current APC administration, Nigeria’s life expectancy has plummeted, and citizens live in constant fear, unable to move freely due to the risk of violence and abduction.
Ologunagba criticized the government’s misplaced priorities, asserting, “Instead of safeguarding Nigerians, the APC government seems eager to involve our nation in an unnecessary conflict in Niger Republic, even though the situation does not pose any threat to our national interest.”
“The Party remains deeply concerned that if the prevailing sense of despair, fear, and disconnect is not promptly addressed, it could escalate into a severe crisis,” warned the PDP.
