The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has described President Bola Tinubu’s independent day speech as the usual rhetoric of false performance claims and empty promises.
The PDP in a statement on Tuesday by the National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, said the speech was a waste of time “as it did not address issues or proffer any solution to the myriads of economic and security problems created by the APC government, for which Nigerians are hurting.”
The party stated that President Tinubu has by this speech further confirmed the insensitivity of his administration towards the plight of Nigerians.
It added that the speech confirmed that there is no hope in sight under the insensitive and unresponsive All Progressives Congress (APC) led government.
“The failure of the speech to respond to the cries of millions of Nigerians that President Tinubu eases their suffering by reviewing life-suffocating policies of his government also validates concerns in the public space of emerging totalitarianism where certain individuals or groups of individuals are benefitting from the travail of the people.
“It is indeed shocking that Mr President’s speech practically trivialised the very grave issues of pervasive economic hardship, unemployment, acute poverty, widespread hunger and starvation in our country, for which Nigerians took to the streets in August this year,” the party said.
PDP said Nigeria could not reconcile President Tinubu’s assurance to improve the micro-economy and lower the cost of living and food sufficiency when his administration failed to lower the price of fuel, which it described as a key driver of the nation’s economy.
The party also stated that the president’s failure to listen to Nigerians to reduce the price of fuel, create employment and lift the value of the naira by ending the profligacy in his government and direct resources to jumpstart the ailing productive sector showed that the APC administration is completely disconnected with Nigerians, especially the youths.
“Moreover, from the speech, it is clear that the APC-led administration is determined to stifle our nation’s democracy; the very fundamental of any independent nation as it is loudly silent on the erosion of credible election and constant attacks on constitutionally guaranteed rights of citizens in our country under its watch,” it added.