The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day speech, accusing him of making false claims about his administration’s achievements. In a statement released on Tuesday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, described the speech as a “complete waste of time,” arguing that it failed to address Nigeria’s pressing economic and security challenges.

The PDP claimed that the speech demonstrated the ruling All Progressives Congress’ (APC) insensitivity to the suffering of Nigerians, particularly with regard to issues like unemployment, economic hardship, and poverty. Ologunagba criticized Tinubu for not acknowledging the worsening living conditions in the country, despite his administration’s claim of attracting over $30 billion in foreign direct investment.

In his Independence Day address, President Tinubu emphasized the need for reforms to ensure Nigeria’s progress and prosperity, warning against maintaining the status quo. He highlighted efforts made by his government over the past 16 months to reform the political economy and defense systems.

In response, the PDP argued that the President’s remarks downplayed the reality of rising fuel prices, unemployment, and general economic hardship. The party urged Tinubu to engage directly with the public to understand the real situation, rather than relying on what they described as “fabricated statistics.”

Reacting to the PDP’s criticism, APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, dismissed their remarks as frustration over the ruling party’s achievements. He argued that the APC had restored peace and stability to Nigeria since taking office, contrasting it with the turmoil during the PDP’s administration.

The back-and-forth reflects ongoing tensions between the two parties, with the PDP calling for more genuine engagement with the public, while the APC defends its governance record.