The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s New Year broadcast, labeling it as a collection of lies, false assertions, and empty commitments. In a statement released by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Monday, the speech was described as lacking presidential qualities, lacking inspiration, and ultimately wasting valuable time as it failed to address the pressing issues facing the nation. The PDP expressed disappointment that President Tinubu’s rhetoric did not tackle crucial matters such as insecurity, deteriorating infrastructure, a stagnant manufacturing sector, a high inflation rate of 28%, the continuous depreciation of the Naira, alarming levels of unemployment, extreme poverty, and the economic hardships caused by the administration’s reckless and insensitive policies and programs.
Furthermore, the party criticized the President for failing to acknowledge the Christmas eve massacre in Plateau State, where over 200 Nigerians were killed by terrorists, as well as the murder of over 5,000 citizens in Plateau and other states since May 29, 2023.
The PDP concluded by condemning President Tinubu’s audacious claim that every decision and action taken during his tenure has been in the best interest of the country, considering the incompetence, insensitivity, and rampant corruption that have plagued his administration.
Contrary to what President Tinubu claims, the decisions and actions taken by his administration, such as the approval of the fuel price increase, devaluation of the currency, and skewed budget, do not serve the best interests of our country.
These policies have resulted in high costs, hardship, and a struggling economy without any concrete plans to revive it or create jobs.
Additionally, the President’s wasteful foreign trips with political cronies and failure to address the ongoing killings across the nation further demonstrate a lack of concern for the well-being of Nigerians.
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Moreover, the undermining of constitutional institutions, such as the National Assembly and the Independent National Electoral Commission, through the appointment of partisan members, is detrimental to the nation. President Tinubu’s assertion that these actions are in the interest of the nation only confirms that his administration is intentionally subjecting Nigerians to hardship in order to suppress them.
His acknowledgment of the groans and suffering of hardworking Nigerians also highlights the fact that his administration has caused pain and misery. Instead of offering apologies and addressing the challenges faced by the nation, including the departure of multinational companies, President Tinubu should have used the New Year as an opportunity to outline steps to rectify these issues.
President Tinubu is being urged by Nigerians to present a detailed report on the country’s earnings, which should include the funds obtained from the removal of petroleum product subsidies. This request comes in light of allegations that these earnings are being misappropriated by leaders of the APC party and their associates.
In response, the main opposition party has called upon the National Assembly to fulfill its Constitutional duty of oversight and ensure that the executive branch is held responsible for managing the nation’s finances.
