By Chisom Oguadimma
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the silence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu regarding the ongoing 10-day nationwide EndBadGovernance protest by Nigerians.
In a press statement released on the party’s X handle, the PDP criticised President Tinubu for failing to address the nation despite the crippling nationwide protest. The party demanded 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.
The statement expressed the PDP’s concern that the President’s silence sends a dangerous signal and heightens public apprehension, suggesting that the All Progressives Congress (APC) government is insensitive to the feelings of citizens and the overall state of affairs in the nation. “It is indeed worrisome that President Tinubu could remain silent as Nigerians are on the streets demanding good governance, protection, security, and welfare, which are the primary purposes of government,” the statement read.
The PDP added that 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 party, therefore, called on the President to end his silence, immediately address the nation, and reassure citizens on issues agitating their minds, particularly the reduction in the price of petroleum products and food items.
“Our Party insists that with deft, transparent, and innovative management of resources, economic potentials, comparative advantage, and refining capacity, petrol should not sell for more than N200 per liter in Nigeria, especially with strategic investment in gas production,” the statement continued.
The PDP also highlighted the need for the President to urgently commence the process of recovering the 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 to programs that have a direct bearing on the well-being of Nigerians.
Furthermore, while calling for a thorough investigation into the reported killing of unarmed Nigerians by certain unscrupulous security operatives, the PDP urged security agencies to ensure a high level of professionalism in their duty of providing security and protection to citizens.
The party called on Nigerians to remain peaceful and law-abiding in their pursuit of a responsive and people-oriented government, which has eluded the nation since the APC came to power in 2015.
