The Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday criticized President Bola Tinubu for allegedly presenting misleading statements about his accomplishments in his 64th Independence Day address.
The opposition party argued that Tinubu’s speech highlighted the ruling All Progressives Congress’ disregard for the challenges faced by Nigerians.
In response, the APC labeled the PDP as a desperate party trying to regain significance.
In a statement released on Tuesday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba described Tinubu’s speech as a “complete waste of time,” emphasising that it failed to address the pressing economic and security issues currently plaguing the country.
During his national address on Tuesday morning, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of reform to secure Nigeria’s advancement and success.
He cautioned that maintaining the status quo could result in the country’s downfall.
The President mentioned that since assuming office 16 months ago, his government has focused on overhauling the political economy and defense system in response to the nation’s difficulties.
“We found ourselves at a dizzying crossroads, where we must choose between two paths: reform for progress and prosperity or carry on business as usual and collapse,” Tinubu said, highlighting that his administration had attracted over $30bn in foreign direct investment in the past year.
In reaction, the PDP criticized the speech for not addressing the struggles of millions of Nigerians, such as economic challenges, joblessness, and severe poverty.
The opposition party said, “The 64th Independence Day speech by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is another lethargic and windy rhetoric of false performance claims and empty promises.”
The PDP criticized the APC government for its disregard of the public’s hardships, claiming that the speech reinforced their belief that prospects for improvement under the current administration were dim.
The PDP voiced surprise that the President’s speech minimized key concerns like the severe economic hardship and hunger that had earlier sparked public demonstrations.
It also challenged Tinubu’s promises of economic growth and reduced living expenses, stating that these assertions contradicted the current reality of increasing fuel costs and unemployment.
The PDP called on President Tinubu to adopt a more proactive approach, encouraging him to visit markets or interact with urban youth to gain a clearer picture of the people’s actual situation, rather than depending on misleading data from his advisers.
The PDP cautioned that the APC-led administration seemed intent on stifling democracy, as the speech notably omitted any mention of the erosion of electoral credibility and citizens’ rights under its governance.
Overall, the PDP’s response reflects deep dissatisfaction with the APC’s handling of the nation’s pressing issues and a call for more genuine engagement with the public.
Reacting, however, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, stated that the PDP’s reaction stemmed from its frustration over the ruling party achieving what they could not.
The PDP warned that the APC-led government appeared determined to undermine democracy, as the speech conspicuously failed to address the decline in electoral integrity and the suppression of citizens’ rights under its rule.
In general, the PDP’s response signals significant discontent with the APC’s management of the country’s urgent problems, along with a demand for more sincere interaction with the public.
In response, the APC’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, remarked that the PDP’s criticism arose from their frustration over the ruling party’s success in areas where they had failed.
He stated “For the PDP, rather than burying their heads in shame, they claimed the President’s speech is empty.
The PDP needs to realize that ever since they left the political stage, stability has been restored in Nigeria, bringing peace back to the nation and to Abuja, the center of power.
“Since the PDP left office, the situation has improved day by day under the APC government. During the PDP’s time, there was no peace in Abuja, making it difficult for a sitting President to address the nation from Eagle Square.
“Under an APC-led federal government, Nigerians are experiencing peace of mind. Therefore, the PDP’s reaction to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s speech is nothing but an afterthought; they are merely reacting because they see what they failed to achieve being accomplished by the APC government. By the grace of God, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will move Nigeria forward.”
