PDP: Tinubu’s speech on #EndBadGovernance protest did not address demands of Nigerians

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says President Bola Tinubu’s speech on the #EndBadGovernance protest failed to state concrete measures to address the economic hardship in the country.

On Saturday, the party said the president’s silence had worsened the agitations by the protesters, adding that he must immediately address Nigerians.

Earlier on Sunday, the president addressed Nigerians in a nationwide broadcast amid the ongoing 10-day protest against economic hardship, which kicked off on Thursday.

Tinubu asked the protesters to suspend their demonstration, adding that his administration’s efforts “will soon be visible and concrete for everyone to see, feel, and enjoy”.

However, in a statement on Sunday, Debo Ologunagba, the national publicity secretary of the PDP, said Tinubu’s broadcast showcased the ruling party’s disregard for Nigerians’ struggles.

“Our Party is appalled that despite the fact that it took President Tinubu the prodding of the PDP to speak to the nation, it is distressing that the speech failed to offer any concrete measure to address the excruciating hardship in the country,” the statement reads.

“Mr. 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 good governance, protection, security, and welfare, which are the primary purposes of government.

“Instead, the speech dwelt on the APC’s counterproductive 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 the 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, hopes, and aspirations are being dashed by the APC.”

Ologunagba said Tinubu’s administration is failing and must be opened to new ideas to solve Nigeria’s pressing issues.

He asked the president to acknowledge the country’s crises and ”cut the size of governance, expenditure on luxury items, and free more resources for immediate intervention towards the wellbeing of Nigerians”.