The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asserted that President Bola Tinubu’s speech over the on-going nationwide protest was diversionary as it failed to address the issues on ground.
The PDP on Monday in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba hit out at Tinubu for his failure to hit the nail on the head.
President Tinubu in his address to Nigerians on a nationwide broadcast on Sunday appealed to protesters to suspend any further demonstrations and create room for dialogue.
The protest, #EndbadGovernanceinNigeria has led to thousands of Nigerians across the nation taking to the streets to decry the government’s policies and the escalating cost of living which have severely impacted the populace.
The country is currently battling high inflation and a tumbling naira after Tinubu ended a fuel subsidy and liberalised the currency more than a year ago in reforms the government says will improve the economy in the long term.
Tinubu in his address to the nation noted the need for a peaceful resolution of grievances, saying that “Nigeria requires all hands on deck” to work together in reshaping the nation’s destiny.
The president noted that he addresses the nation with a “heavy heart and a sense of responsibility,” as he is aware of the turmoil and violent protests unleashed in some states.
He, however, urged protesters and organisers to halt further protests, citing the need to prevent further loss of lives, destruction of public facilities, and looting of businesses.
Tinubu said: “I am especially pained by the loss of lives in Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, and other states, the destruction of public facilities in some states, and the wanton looting of supermarkets and shops, contrary to the promise of protest organisers that the protest would be peaceful across the country.
“The destruction of properties sets us back as a nation, as scarce resources will be again used to restore them.
I” commiserate with the families and relations of those who have died in the protests. We must stop further bloodshed, violence, and destruction.
“Under the circumstances, I hereby enjoin protesters and the organisers to suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue which I have always acceded to at the slightest opportunity.
“Nigeria requires all hands on deck and needs us all regardless of age, party, tribe, religion or other divides to work together in reshaping our destiny as a nation.
“To those who have taken undue advantage of this situation to threaten any section of this country, be warned: The law will catch up with you. There is no place for ethnic bigotry or such threats in the Nigeria we seek to build.”
The PDP reacting asserted that Tinubu’s speech over the on-going protest in the country clearly confirms the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration’s insensitivity towards Nigerians and the very precarious situation in the country.
“Our party is appalled that despite the fact that it took President Tinubu the prodding of the PDP to speak to the nation, it is distressing that the speech failed to offer any concrete measure to address the excruciating hardship in the country,” Ologunagba said.
“Mr. President’s speech failed to respond to the demand by the citizens for immediate measures to reduce the price of petroleum products, halt the fall of the naira and urgent intervention in the provision of food items to starving Nigerians.
“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 for good governance, protection, security and welfare which are the primary purpose of government.”
The PDP said instead, the speech dwelt on APC’s counter-productive action of disregarding the feelings and pains of the people by focusing on self-praise, claims of imaginary achievements and empty projections in the face of apparent and obvious failure of the APC in every aspect of governance.
The opposition party believes 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 aspiration are being dashed by the ruling party.
“It is clear that the APC administration is overwhelmed and has no answers to the myriads of problems occasioned by its anti-people policies that are suffocating life in the country,” Ologunagba said.
“The APC must admit failure and be willing to accept alternative views and suggestions at this moment recognizing that what Nigerians need now is solution and not rhetoric.
“Our party calls on President Tinubu to come to terms with the fact that the nation is in dire straits under his watch. He should address the demands of the people particularly to reduce the cost of petroleum products, stabilize the naira and take immediate steps towards the provision of food items to Nigerians.
“President Tinubu should cut the size of governance, expenditure on luxury items and free more resources for immediate intervention towards the wellbeing of Nigerians.”
