The opposition party said the President's speech failed to address pressing issues or provide solutions to the rampant economic and security crises that Nigerians are currently facing.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s 64th Independence Day Speech, characterizing it as a “lethargic and windy rhetoric” filled with false performance claims.
The party in a statement signed on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, asserted that the address was a scripted attempt to mislead Nigerians amid the “evident failures of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration”.
The opposition party said the President's speech failed to address pressing issues or provide solutions to the rampant economic and security crises that Nigerians are currently facing.
It highlighted that the speech seemed to trivialize the severe hardships affecting the populace, asserting, “Nigerians are appalled that the President’s speech was a complete waste of time.”
According to the PDP, Tinubu's remarks only further illustrated his administration's insensitivity towards the citizens’ plight.
It stated, “This confirms our position that there is no hope in sight under the overtly clueless, insensitive and unresponsive APC-led government.”
The party said the speech did not acknowledge the pressing need to ease the burdens imposed on the people by government policies.
The statement pointed to a disconnection between the government and the people, particularly in light of the claim that “about 10% of Nigerians have been plunged into hunger.”
This figure stands in stark contrast to reports indicating that over 100 million Nigerians are struggling to secure their daily meals.
“It is indeed shocking that Mr. President’s speech practically trivialized the very grave issues of pervasive economic hardship, unemployment, acute poverty, widespread hunger and starvation,” the PDP declared.
Additionally, the PDP criticized the President's assurances regarding micro-economic improvements and food sufficiency, labeling these claims as irreconcilable with the ongoing economic realities.
It lamented the administration's failure to lower fuel prices, which are pivotal for economic stability, and the lack of investment in the productive sector to foster job creation.
The PDP emphasized that the President's refusal to acknowledge the necessity of reducing fuel prices and enhancing the value of the Naira reflects a government out of touch with the needs of Nigerians, particularly the youth.
It warned, “The failure by Mr. President to listen to Nigeria to reduce the price of fuel, create employment and lift the value of the Naira shows that the APC administration is completely disconnected with Nigerians.”
Moreover, the PDP highlighted a concerning trend of democratic erosion under the APC government. The party criticized the President's silence on issues of credible elections and the attacks on the constitutional rights of citizens, stating that the current administration seems determined to stifle democracy.
The statement reads, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) describes the 64th Independent Day Speech by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as another lethargic and windy rhetoric of false performance claims and empty promises ostensibly scripted to delude Nigerians in the face of abysmal failure of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
“Nigerians are appalled that the President’s speech was a complete 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.
“President Tinubu has by this speech further confirmed the insensitivity of his administration towards the plight and demands by Nigerians which clearly authenticates PDP’s position that there is no hope in sight under the overtly clueless, insensitive and unresponsive 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 an emerging totalitarianism where certain individuals or group of individuals are benefitting from the travail of the people.”