The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of insensitivity to the severe economic challenges confronting Nigerians, following his remarks during a media chat on Monday. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, issued a statement on Tuesday expressing dismay at the President’s stance on key national issues, particularly his firm position on the removal of the fuel subsidy.
During the media interaction, President Tinubu reiterated that he has no regrets about eliminating the subsidy, despite its widespread economic repercussions. This assertion, according to the PDP, underscores a troubling detachment from the struggles of ordinary citizens.
The PDP strongly criticized Tinubu’s justification for the abrupt removal of the fuel subsidy, which was implemented without cushioning measures to ease the burden on the populace. Ologunagba noted that this policy has compounded the suffering of Nigerians, driving many into extreme poverty.
“The President’s declaration that he has no regrets for the removal of the subsidy, which has crippled the productive sector and driven up the cost of living, reveals the administration’s failure to prioritize the welfare and security of citizens,” Ologunagba said.
He added that the administration’s inability to secure Nigeria’s borders has exacerbated the smuggling of petroleum products to neighboring countries, further eroding the potential benefits of subsidy savings.
The PDP raised concerns over the lack of transparency regarding funds purportedly saved from the subsidy removal. Ologunagba questioned why the administration has yet to account for these funds while citizens endure the economic fallout.
“Instead of addressing these pressing issues, the President claims that the nation’s economy has improved under his watch—a claim that stands in stark contrast to the deteriorating living standards and economic indicators,” the PDP spokesperson said.
Ologunagba highlighted the comatose state of the productive sector, the depreciating value of the naira, and inflation currently at 34.6 percent as evidence of worsening economic conditions.
The PDP criticized the government’s failure to invest in critical sectors such as agriculture, energy, and small- and medium-scale enterprises, which are vital for driving economic recovery and growth. The party pointed to chaotic scenes during palliative distribution as a grim illustration of the prevailing hardship across the country.
“Stampedes recorded during palliative distribution demonstrate the perilous times Nigerians are living through under the APC administration,” Ologunagba stated.
On the issue of security, the PDP challenged Tinubu’s claim that Nigerians can now safely travel by road, citing persistent cases of kidnappings and insecurity on major highways. The party called on the President to assess the realities on the ground personally.
“We challenge President Tinubu to travel from Abuja to Lagos by road, visit markets, or walk on the streets to appreciate the real situation Nigerians face rather than relying on fabricated statistics from his officials,” the statement read.
Concluding its statement, the PDP expressed doubt about the APC administration’s capacity to steer the country out of its current crisis. The party urged the President to admit the shortcomings of his government and take decisive steps to address the economic and security challenges plaguing the nation.
“The PDP holds that under the APC, there is no hope in sight. The administration has failed to embark on meaningful investments in sectors that could drive economic growth and improve the lives of Nigerians,” Ologunagba declared.
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