The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sharply criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s New Year address, describing it as an empty declaration that fails to tackle the pressing economic and social challenges plaguing Nigerians. In a statement issued on Wednesday by the party’s national spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba, the opposition party lambasted the speech for lacking concrete plans to alleviate unemployment, hunger, and economic hardship.
According to the PDP, the address was a disappointing show of self-praise, disconnected from the harsh realities Nigerians face daily. The statement pointed to the absence of actionable solutions to pressing issues like soaring fuel prices, widespread poverty, and deteriorating infrastructure. The party argued that Tinubu’s message merely highlighted the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s insensitivity to the plight of citizens.
Nigerians, Ologunagba noted, had hoped for bold commitments to reduce the cost of petrol, especially given the potential for leveraging the country’s refining capacity and border security to stabilize fuel prices. Instead, the president offered no specifics, leaving the public frustrated by a lack of direction on critical sectors such as electricity, agriculture, and industrial growth.
The PDP went further to accuse the Tinubu administration of failing to present strategies for reducing unemployment or stimulating small and medium-scale enterprises, which are vital to the nation’s economic recovery. The statement emphasized that such omissions underline a troubling lack of competence and vision within the administration.
Ologunagba also dismissed Tinubu’s assertion that Nigerians placed their confidence in his leadership, calling it a blatant misjudgment of public sentiment. The spokesperson argued that growing disillusionment with the APC government has left citizens longing for change and eagerly awaiting the next electoral opportunity to end what he described as a national nightmare.
The PDP urged the president to reevaluate his approach to governance, focusing on pragmatic policies that prioritize the welfare and security of the populace. With inflation biting harder and millions slipping further into poverty, the opposition insisted that Nigerians deserve leadership that delivers actionable results rather than hollow rhetoric.
The party’s statement has ignited widespread debate online, with many Nigerians echoing its concerns and calling for urgent reforms. The New Year, for many, seems less about renewed hope and more about navigating a continuation of tough times under the current administration.
