The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s address concerning the #EndBadGovernance protests, stating that it failed to address the protesters’ demands and showed insensitivity to the struggles of Nigerians.
In a statement released on Sunday, PDP spokesman Debo Ologunagba argued that the speech highlighted the administration’s lack of concern for the country’s critical situation.
“The PDP asserts that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s speech regarding the ongoing protests clearly confirms the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration’s insensitivity towards Nigerians and the very precarious situation in the country,” Ologunagba stated.
The party expressed disappointment that despite urging from the PDP, it took days for President Tinubu to address the nation. They lamented that the speech did not provide any concrete solutions to alleviate the severe hardships faced by Nigerians.
“Our Party is appalled that despite the fact that it took President Tinubu the prodding of the PDP to speak to the nation, it is distressing that the speech failed to offer any concrete measure to address the excruciating hardship in the country,” the statement read. “Mr. President’s speech failed to respond to the demand by the citizens for immediate measures to reduce the price of petroleum products, halt the fall of the Naira, and urgent intervention in the provision of food items to starving Nigerians.”
The PDP further criticized the speech for not addressing the need for an investigation into the reported brutal killings of unarmed citizens by certain APC-controlled security agencies during the protests. They emphasized that these protesters were advocating for good governance, protection, security, and welfare, which are fundamental responsibilities of the government.
The statement continued, “Instead, the speech dwelt on APC’s counter-productive action of disregarding the feelings and pains of the people by focusing on self-praise, claims of imaginary achievements, and empty projections amidst the apparent and obvious failures of the APC in every aspect of governance.”
The PDP claimed that the administration’s response only heightened public concern that the APC government is uncaring and detached from the suffering of millions of Nigerians, especially the youth, whose dreams and aspirations are being stifled by the party’s policies.
“It is clear that the APC administration is overwhelmed and has no answers to the myriads of problems caused by its anti-people policies that are suffocating life in the country,” the PDP stated. They urged the APC to acknowledge its failures and consider alternative views and suggestions, recognizing that what Nigerians need now are practical solutions, not empty rhetoric.
The PDP called on President Tinubu to acknowledge the nation’s dire situation and address the people’s demands, particularly by reducing the cost of petroleum products, stabilizing the Naira, and taking immediate steps to provide food to Nigerians. They also recommended that the President reduce the size of government and cut expenditure on luxury items to free up resources for critical interventions. The statement was signed by Hon. Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP.
