The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted strongly to President Bola Tinubu’s New Year address, dismissing it as a mere “self-satisfying posturing” that does little to inspire hope for Nigeria’s future. The opposition party expressed its disappointment with the President’s speech, claiming it highlights the growing disillusionment among Nigerians under the current administration.
In a statement issued by the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government of failing to address the nation’s mounting hardships. Ologunagba criticized the President for offering no clear direction or solutions to the multiple crises facing the country, including soaring petroleum prices, widespread hunger, and the deteriorating productive sector.
The PDP pointed out that the speech was void of any concrete plans to resolve issues such as the skyrocketing cost of fuel, the critical sectors of electricity and oil and gas, or the alarming rate of unemployment. The party emphasized that the speech lacked any strategic approach to stimulate job creation or support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which are essential for Nigeria’s economic recovery.
Critics of the administration, including the PDP, argue that with proper management of resources and national refining capacity, Nigerians should not be paying more than N350 per liter for petrol. The PDP’s response to the address was blunt, accusing the government of being disconnected from the realities faced by the average Nigerian.
The opposition also took issue with the President’s claim that Nigerians had placed their trust in his leadership, asserting that it reflected the administration’s disconnection from the people’s growing frustration. According to the PDP, the country’s citizens have lost faith in the current government, and many are already looking ahead to the next election in hopes of ending what they perceive as a “nightmare” under the APC rule.
As the New Year begins, the PDP’s critique underscores the deepening political divide and rising skepticism among Nigerians regarding the current administration’s ability to address the country’s most pressing challenges.