By Observers Time
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has launched a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s two years in office, branding his administration a “massive disappointment.” Ahead of Tinubu’s second anniversary, the main opposition party accused his government of inflicting severe hardship on Nigerians through what it termed poor economic decisions, worsening insecurity, and unchecked corruption.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, the PDP declared the past 24 months under the All Progressives Congress (APC) government as “nightmarish.” The party alleged that millions of Nigerians are currently “going through hell” under an “insensitive” and “anti-people” regime, highlighting the significant decline in living standards across the nation.
“The PDP tasks President Tinubu to urgently address the issue of insecurity, reverse all economically suffocating policies and check the wholesale corruption, greed, unbridled profligacy, reckless misdirection of resources, arrogance in failure and totalitarian tendencies in his administration,” read the statement, signed by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba.
The PDP specifically pointed fingers at Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly the abrupt removal of petrol subsidy and the unification of exchange rates. These policies, the party asserted, have “crippled the productive sector, crashed businesses, and triggered mass job losses,” plunging the country into a deeper economic crisis.
Comparing current economic indicators to its own time in power, the PDP presented grim statistics. The party noted that the Naira, which exchanged for N167 to a US Dollar under the PDP, now trades at over N1,600. Similarly, petrol, previously N87 per litre under the PDP, now exceeds N1,000. The statement also cited alarming figures for inflation (near 40%), youth unemployment (over 42%), and an acute food shortage plaguing the nation.
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Beyond economic woes, the PDP accused the administration of gross negligence in addressing insecurity. The party claimed that more than 600,000 Nigerians have been killed by terrorists and bandits since May 2023, attributing the ongoing violence to government inaction and a lack of effective security strategies.
The opposition party further lamented a waning international confidence in Nigeria, noting that “multinationals are leaving Nigeria in droves to neighbouring countries where governments are alive to their responsibilities.” This exodus, the PDP argued, underscores the administration’s failure to create a conducive environment for business and investment.
Ologunagba also criticised what he described as a pattern of “reckless foreign borrowing.” He highlighted Nigeria’s ballooning debt profile, which has reportedly surged to N182.91 trillion, compounded by a recent request from the Tinubu administration for an additional $24.14 billion (approximately N38.24 trillion) in loans.
The PDP contrasted the suffering of ordinary Nigerians with what it termed the APC’s “obsession with turning our country into a one-party state.” The party further accused the government of “squandering national resources on private jets, luxury yachts, mansions, expensive trips and a lavish lifestyle,” while the populace endures severe economic hardship.
Warning President Tinubu against delivering “rhetoric and false performance claims” during his second anniversary address, the PDP urged him to instead “redeem his image.”
This redemption, the party advised, should involve urgently addressing insecurity, reversing harmful policies, and bringing in more competent individuals to manage the nation’s economy.
While acknowledging the current difficulties, the PDP encouraged Nigerians not to lose hope, urging citizens to “rally on the platform of the PDP” in preparation for the 2027 general elections. “Mr. President should recognise that Nigerians are seriously hurting,” the party concluded, adding, “He still has two years left to make amends.”
President Tinubu is scheduled to address the nation on May 29, marking the second year of his administration.
