The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s 64th Independence Day speech, accusing him of making exaggerated claims about his administration’s achievements. The opposition party argued that the speech failed to address the pressing challenges Nigerians face, particularly in terms of economic hardship and security issues.
In a statement on Tuesday, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, described Tinubu’s address as a “complete waste of time.” Ologunagba expressed disappointment that the President did not focus on key concerns such as unemployment, extreme poverty, and the rising cost of living. According to the PDP, these issues have been affecting millions of Nigerians, and Tinubu’s speech failed to provide any concrete solutions to ease their struggles.
During his national broadcast on Independence Day, President Tinubu emphasized the need for reforms, warning that failure to implement these changes could lead the nation towards collapse. He highlighted his administration’s efforts since coming to power 16 months ago, stating that they had attracted over $30 billion in foreign direct investments and were working on reforming the country’s political economy and defense systems.
However, the PDP dismissed these claims as empty promises, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of being disconnected from the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians. “The 64th Independence Day speech by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is another lethargic and windy rhetoric of false performance claims and empty promises,” the PDP stated. The opposition party further argued that Tinubu’s assurances of economic improvement and reduced living costs did not reflect the current situation, where fuel prices and unemployment rates continue to rise.
The PDP also criticized the speech for downplaying critical issues like hunger and economic hardship, which have led to public unrest. They called on President Tinubu to engage more directly with citizens, suggesting that he visit markets and speak with young people in urban areas to gain a better understanding of the nation’s challenges. The opposition party further accused the APC-led administration of attempting to stifle democracy, pointing out that Tinubu’s address failed to address concerns about electoral credibility and the erosion of citizens’ rights under the current government.
Responding to these accusations, the APC fired back at the PDP, dismissing their criticisms as frustration. APC’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, argued that the opposition party was reacting out of bitterness over the ruling party’s achievements. He claimed that since the PDP’s departure from power, Nigeria has experienced more peace and stability under APC governance.
“For the PDP, rather than burying their heads in shame, they claimed the President’s speech is empty. What the PDP should understand is that since their departure from the political scene, sanity has returned to Nigeria, and peace has been restored to the country and to Abuja, the seat of power,” Ibrahim said.
He further added that Nigeria has seen continuous improvement since the APC took over, stating that the current administration, led by Tinubu, is committed to moving the country forward.
