Abuja – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition party, has raised significant concerns about the economic policies spearheaded by President Bola Tinubu. The PDP accuses the current administration of hastily implementing ill-conceived economic measures that have exacerbated the hardship faced by Nigerians and contributed to the nation’s worsening security challenges.
National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, conveyed the party’s apprehensions in a statement issued from Abuja on Monday. The PDP’s statement paints a bleak picture of the current state of affairs in the country under the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Tinubu.
According to Ologunagba, “Nigeria is at the edge of the precipice under the Tinubu-led APC hold which lacks the acceptability and followership of citizens; a situation that has created an atmosphere and feeling of absence of governance in the country.”
The opposition party expressed its concern over a perceived disconnection between the government and the citizens, largely attributed to what it describes as poorly planned and hastily executed policies. The PDP contends that these policies have led to severe hardships, increased insecurity, and a pervasive sense of apprehension that threatens the nation’s unity and existence.
The PDP’s criticism focuses on the implementation of measures such as the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the Naira, which it claims has led to skyrocketing living costs, reduced national productivity, widespread business closures, and significant job losses. The party asserts that the administration’s handling of these policies has amplified poverty, hunger, and insecurity across the country.
In a grim observation, Ologunagba stated, “It is horrifying that in the last two months, over 150 million Nigerians can no longer afford their daily meals with families now going to bed on empty stomachs.”
The PDP further decries the APC government’s response to the deteriorating security situation in the country. The party alleges that the administration has failed to adequately address the killing and abduction of citizens, including the abduction of eight corps members and the recent downing of a military aircraft. The PDP is also critical of the government’s posture towards conflict in neighboring Niger Republic, which it views as unnecessary and potentially dangerous.
While expressing its concern about the prevailing state of affairs, the PDP urges Nigerians to remain calm, law-abiding, and supportive of one another in their pursuit of a more secure and economically prosperous nation. The PDP’s statement underscores the urgency of addressing the issues raised to prevent further deterioration into crisis.