The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized President Bola Tinubu for his lack of response to the ongoing nationwide EndBadGovernance protests. As economic hardships deepen, many Nigerians are struggling to afford basic necessities. In response, youth-led protests erupted on Thursday and continued into Friday across major cities, including Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, and Rivers, demanding an end to hunger and poor governance.
In a statement released on Saturday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba urged President Tinubu to address the nation immediately and reassure citizens about the pressing issues affecting them. The statement read in part:
“The PDP demands that President Tinubu immediately address Nigerians on urgent steps to reduce the price of petroleum products, stem the fall of the Naira, and ensure the speedy provision of food, among other critical issues, to revamp the productive sector, stimulate employment, and restore stability in the polity. Our Party expresses concerns that President Tinubu’s silence is sending a very dangerous signal and heightening public apprehension that the All Progressives Congress (APC) government is insensitive to the feelings of the citizens and the overall sorry state of affairs in the nation.”
The PDP emphasized the importance of the President speaking out as Nigerians take to the streets to demand good governance, protection, security, and welfare, which are the primary purposes of government. The statement continued:
“The world is watching in horror as operatives of APC-controlled security agencies assault, shoot, and kill unarmed protesters, with thugs allegedly mobilized by the APC also unleashing violence on innocent Nigerians.”
The opposition party also demanded a comprehensive investigation into the reported killing of unarmed Nigerians by security operatives. The PDP called on President Tinubu to end his silence and address the nation on critical issues such as reducing the price of petroleum products and food items. They insisted that, with strategic management of resources and investment in gas production, petrol should not sell for more than N200 per litre in Nigeria.
Furthermore, the PDP urged President Tinubu to begin the process of recovering over N50 trillion reportedly stolen by APC leaders, reduce tariffs on essential goods, cut the cost of governance, review all luxury items in his government, and channel recovered funds into programs that directly impact the well-being of Nigerians.
In addition, the PDP called for a thorough investigation into the reported killing of unarmed Nigerians by certain security operatives and urged security agencies to maintain a high level of professionalism in their duty to provide security and protection to citizens.
