The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said President Bola Tinubu’s speech on the on-going protests confirmed the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration’s insensitivity towards Nigerians and the precarious situation in the country.
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), on its part, said President Tinubu’s speech was a “grossly inadequate response” to the widespread protests sweeping the nation.
CNPP lamented the president’s silence on concrete measures to alleviate the suffering caused by the removal of petrol subsidies.
National publicity secretary of PDP, Hon Debo Ologungaba, said it is appalled that despite its prodding of the president to speak to the nation, his speech failed to offer any concrete measure to address the excruciating hardship in the country.
Ologungaba, in a statement said, the 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.
“It is equally shocking that the speech did not order an investigation into the brutal killing of unarmed Nigerians by certain unscrupulous operatives of the APC-controlled security agencies while demanding for good governance, protection, security and welfare, which are the primary purpose of the government.
“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 in the face of apparent and obvious failure of the APC in every aspect of governance.
“Such only reinforces public apprehension that the APC administration is uncaring and impervious to the suffering and pains of millions of Nigerians, particularly the youths whose dreams, hope and aspiration are being dashed by the APC.”
PDP however called on President Tinubu to come to terms with the fact that the nation is in dire straits under his watch.
“He should address the demands of the people particularly to reduce the cost of petroleum products, stabilize the Naira and take immediate steps towards the provision of food items to Nigerians.
“President Tinubu should cut the size of governance, expenditure on luxury items and free more resources for immediate intervention towards the wellbeing of Nigerians.
CNPP, in a signed statement by its deputy national publicity secretary, Comrade James Ezema, described the president’s address as a “masterclass in evasion, obfuscation, and blame-shifting,” failing to address the core issues driving the protests.
The CNPP also condemned the APC government’s decision to float the Naira without a full cabinet in place, arguing that it has “exacerbated the economic chaos, leaving Nigerians to bear the brunt of the administration’s incompetence.”
It held the APC administration fully responsible for the country’s economic devastation, hunger, and suffering, stating, “Their policies have been a toxic mix of incompetence, corruption, and callous disregard for human life.”
The CNPP also criticised opposition parties for their failure to provide a united front against the APC’s misrule, warning, “It is time for opposition politicians to stop hiding behind press releases and take to the streets to lead the protests against the government’s pain-inflicting policies or speak no more.”
The CNPP emphasised that opposition parties have a responsibility to provide a united front, lead the nationwide demonstrations, and offer credible alternatives to the government, stating, “Anything less will remain unacceptable to Nigerians.”