The Peoples Democratic Party has cautioned President Bola Tinubu about the growing poverty in Nigeria, warning that the potential reaction of starving citizens is deeply concerning.
Additionally, the party has urged the President to align his actions “with democratic principles, heed the voices of Nigerians, and reassess his policies that are stifling livelihoods in the nation.”
In a statement released on Tuesday to mark Nigeria’s Democracy Day, commemorated annually on June 12, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, condemned the APC administrations since 2015 for allegedly undermining the democratic principles, legacies, and values championed by the late Chief MKO Abiola, for which he fought and ultimately lost his life.
The opposition party encouraged Nigerians to seize this year’s Democracy Day as an opportunity to denounce the anti-democratic tendencies of the insensitive APC government.
The statement read partly, “The party charges Nigerians to use the occasion of this year’s Democracy Day to speak against the anti-democratic tendencies of the insensitive APC, which is asphyxiating, inflicting hardship, trampling on the Will and rights of the citizens and seeking to foist a totalitarian system on our nation.
“It is distressing that our nation is observing Democracy Day under a system that relishes in brazen violation of the Constitution, election rigging, stifling and manipulation of opposition, muzzling of dissenting voices; undermining the judicial system and other democracy institutions in desperation to turn Nigeria into a one-party State.
“More disquieting is that all the progress and gains made by successive PDP administrations in entrenching democratic practice in Nigeria have been reversed by the APC administrations.”
The opposition party spokesman said that the PDP government, through its privatization and commercialization policy, liberalized the economy, resulting in improved fortunes for Nigerian citizens.
“Nigerians can recall with nostalgia the glorious days of the PDP at the return of Democracy in 1999 to 2015, which period witnessed the expansion of democracy practice and dividend; notably the conduct of free and fair elections; adherence to the Rule of Law and Principle of Separation of Powers, economic transformation resulting in Nigeria becoming a preferred foreign investment destination in the world,” Ologunagba said.
“Also, the PDP Government, through its privatization and commercialization policy, liberalized the economy and the consequential improvement in the fortune of Nigeria citizens.
“Democracy is all about the supremacy of the Will of the people, the Rule of Law and the pursuit of the security and wellbeing of citizens. These ideals have been completely violated by the APC administrations, whose leaders have no respect for public opinion but delight in burdening the people through multiple taxes and looting of treasury to finance their luxury appetite while subjecting other Nigerians to a life of fear, uncertainty, despondency and abject poverty.”
The PDP expressed dismay that rather than celebrating the essence of democracy advocated by Chief MKO Abiola—freedom and good governance—Nigerians are enduring increased poverty due to what they perceive as exploitative and poorly executed anti-people policies by the APC.
The party highlighted the surge in fuel prices and electricity tariffs without corresponding welfare improvement initiatives as evidence of the APC’s disregard for the people’s welfare.
Additionally, the PDP criticized the apparent contradiction of APC leaders indulging in luxury while many Nigerians struggle to afford basic necessities.
The statement further read, “The recent opening of the N21 billion luxury mansion for Vice President Ibrahim Shettima by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a country of collapsing infrastructure; with over 40% unemployment rate; where millions of citizens are literally starving; and where our schools and hospitals lack the basic operation equipment and tools is only a glimpse into the insensitivity, arrogance, impunity and reckless misdirection of resources that pervade the APC administrations.
“Our party urges President Tinubu to use the occasion of Democracy Day to have a deep reflection on the state of the nation under his watch, especially given the growing public agitation over hunger and the high cost of living in the country.
“The PDP again reminds President Tinubu that there is destitution in the land and that the reaction of a hungry people is better imagined. Mr President should, in keeping with democratic tenets, listen to Nigerians and review policies that are suffocating life in the country.”