The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rubbished the Sunday nationwide broadcast by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following the tension in the country after Nigerians stormed major streets across states to express their grievances on the challenging situation in the country.
Naija News reports that the protests, tagged #EndBadGovernance, were organized to decry the hunger crisis and the unfavourable economic situation in Nigeria since the incumbent government took over power.
President Tinubu, however, addressed the nation yesterday, urging the protesters to suspend their action, reiterating his government’s commitment to ensuring a better Nigeria.
However, the country’s main opposition party, PDP, has criticized the broadcast which is said did not address the demonstrators’ demands.
PDP said Sunday’s address shows insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians.
The opposition camp stressed that it was clear that the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration is already overwhelmed and has no answers to the myriads of problems occasioned by its anti-people policies that are suffocating life in the country.
“The PDP asserts that the speech by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the ongoing protests in the country clearly confirms the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration’s insensitivity towards Nigerians and the very precarious situation in the country,” PDP’s spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, said in a statement issued on Sunday.
He also expressed disappointment tha the President’s speech did not order an investigation into the brutal killing of unarmed Nigerians by security operatives during the ongoing protests.
READ PDP’s FULL STATEMENT BELOW
“Protests: @officialABAT ’s Speech Diversionary, Fails to Address Issues
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) @OfficialPDPNig asserts that the speech by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the ongoing protests 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.
“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 good governance, protection, security and welfare, which are the primary purposes of government.
“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.
“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, hopes and aspirations are being dashed by the APC.
“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.
“The APC must admit failure and be willing to accept alternative views and suggestions at this moment, recognizing that what Nigerians need now is a 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.”