In a statement released yesterday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) demanded that President Bola Tinubu provide a detailed account of the nation’s revenue, including funds generated from the removal of the petroleum products subsidy. The call comes amidst allegations that these earnings are being diverted to the private coffers of All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders and their associates.
The opposition party criticized Tinubu’s New Year speech as lacking substance and failing to address critical issues facing the nation. PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba, asserted that President Tinubu neglected pressing concerns such as insecurity, deteriorating infrastructure, a stagnant manufacturing sector, a soaring 28% inflation rate, the continual depreciation of the Naira, escalating unemployment, and the economic hardship resulting from the perceived imprudent policies of his administration.
Ologunagba noted the absence of any mention in Tinubu’s speech regarding issues of incompetence, insensitivity, widespread profligacy, and unchecked treasury looting that, according to the PDP, have left the nation in dire straits.
The PDP spokesperson argued that President Tinubu should have used the New Year address as an opportunity to apologize to Nigerians and outline steps to address national challenges, including the factors contributing to the departure of multinational companies from the country.
The statement emphasized the need for accountability, urging the National Assembly to fulfill its constitutional oversight role in holding the Executive Arm accountable for the nation’s finances.
The PDP expressed dismay that President Tinubu made no mention of the recent Christmas Eve massacre in Plateau State, where over 200 Nigerians lost their lives to terrorists, and the ongoing violence that has claimed over 5,000 lives across various states since May 29, 2023.
The party disputed Tinubu’s claim that all decisions and actions taken during his presidency have been in the best interest of the country. Instead, the PDP highlighted policies such as the fuel price hike, currency devaluation, budget allocations favoring the luxury preferences of the Presidency and APC leaders, wasteful foreign trips, and the failure to address nationwide killings as contrary to the nation’s interest.
Additionally, the PDP accused President Tinubu of undermining the Constitution and democratic institutions, citing attempts to weaken the National Assembly and compromise the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through the appointment of APC members as Resident Electoral Commissioners. The party asserted that such actions are not in the nation’s best interest and accused the administration of deliberately subjecting Nigerians to hardship.