The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu’s New Year address, accusing him of offering no concrete solutions to the country’s pressing issues, including unemployment, hunger, and the skyrocketing cost of living. The opposition party issued a statement on Wednesday, expressing disappointment with the president’s speech, which it described as self-satisfying and disconnected from the economic realities faced by Nigerians.
In the statement, PDP spokesperson Debo Ologunagba argued that President Tinubu’s address failed to acknowledge the severity of the nation’s problems. “Nigerians were appalled that despite the prodding by the PDP and well-meaning citizens, President Tinubu’s New Year speech did not articulate any specific direction for the nation or proffer solutions to the myriad of problems caused by APC’s misrule,” Ologunagba said.
The PDP spokesman emphasized that the speech lacked substance, especially in relation to the critical challenges Nigerians face. “President Tinubu’s speech again underlines APC’s insensitivity to the anguish of Nigerians by failing to present any definite policy roadmap towards reducing the price of petroleum products, addressing the widespread hunger in the land, and revamping our ailing productive sector,” Ologunagba stated, criticizing the president for not offering any specific plans to alleviate the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.
Further condemning the speech, Ologunagba pointed out that the address did not mention any plans to tackle key sectors such as energy, food production, and infrastructure. “There was no mention of how the government plans to tackle critical issues such as electricity, oil and gas, road infrastructure, or food production,” he noted, highlighting the administration’s failure to provide a roadmap for addressing Nigeria’s most pressing challenges.
The PDP also called out the administration for its inability to address the issue of unemployment, one of the most critical concerns in the country. Ologunagba emphasized that the lack of strategic investment in small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) would only prolong the country’s job crisis. “The message was also pathetically devoid of a precise plan to address unemployment through strategic investment to stimulate multisectoral small and medium scale enterprises in the country,” he added.
One of the most contentious issues raised by the PDP was the price of fuel, which has remained a heavy burden on Nigerian citizens. Ologunagba argued that the Tinubu administration missed an opportunity to address this issue directly in the New Year address. “If the APC administration had the interest of Nigerians at heart, the New Year address would have made definite pronouncements on the price of fuel,” he said.
The PDP spokesperson suggested that with effective management of the nation’s resources, it would be possible to bring down fuel prices. “With deft, transparent, and innovative management of resources, economic potentials, comparative advantage, national refining capacity, and effective policing of the nation’s borders, Nigerians should not pay more than N350 per litre for petrol within the country,” Ologunagba declared, calling on the government to demonstrate a commitment to economic transparency and efficiency.
Ologunagba further criticized the administration’s leadership capabilities, claiming that the speech revealed the Tinubu-led government’s lack of the necessary skills to effectively manage Nigeria’s resources. “In any case, from the speech, it is clear that the Tinubu-led APC administration lacks the expected patriotic commitment as well as the required capacity, competence, and skills to effectively harness and manage the resources of the nation for the good of the citizens,” he remarked.
The PDP also took issue with President Tinubu’s claim in his speech that Nigerians had placed their confidence in him as their president. Ologunagba described the statement as “ludicrous” and argued that it reflected the president’s detachment from the reality on the ground. “President Tinubu’s claim that Nigerians placed their confidence in him as their president is ludicrous and shows that he is disconnected from the reality of his abysmal perception among Nigerians,” he stated.
The PDP’s statement also addressed the growing sense of disillusionment among the Nigerian public. According to Ologunagba, many Nigerians have already lost faith in the administration and are now looking ahead to the next elections. “Nigerians have lost faith in Tinubu’s administration and have since moved on, eagerly waiting for the next round of elections that will mark the end of the nightmare which the APC represents to our nation,” he said, implying that the public has lost confidence in the government’s ability to bring meaningful change.
The party’s remarks come amid increasing frustration among Nigerians over the state of the economy, with many citizens expressing disappointment in the government’s handling of key issues. The PDP’s criticism highlights the stark contrast between the opposition’s stance and the ruling party’s narrative, as both sides seek to shape the public’s perception going into the future.
Ologunagba challenged the president to be more attuned to the needs of the people and focus on the welfare and security of the citizens, rather than on self-satisfaction. “The president must be more committed and focused on the purpose of governance, which is the welfare and security of the people,” he said, urging Tinubu to listen to the concerns of Nigerians and take decisive action to address the country’s challenges.
The PDP’s statement reflects ongoing political tensions in the country, as the opposition party continues to hold the ruling APC accountable for its governance. The criticism also serves as a call for greater transparency, better governance, and a clear vision to address the numerous challenges that Nigeria faces, especially as the country grapples with rising unemployment, inflation, and economic instability.
