A manifesto of hopelessness,’ PDP, CUPP slam Tinubu’s New Year speech

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Conference of United Political Parties (CUPP), have slammed President Bola Tinubu’s New Year broadcast, noting that it failed to inspire confidence and paints a gloomy picture of what lies ahead of Nigerians in 2025.

The PDP in its response, said the entire address confirms its fears that the President has since lost touch with the realities being faced by Nigerians as a consequence of his administration’s policies.

National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, who said this in a statement in Abuja, Wednesday, noted that, “The PDP asserts that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2025 New Year Day address further confirms its position and that of most Nigerians that there is no hope in sight for the nation under his administration.

“The Party describes the speech as a self-satisfying posturing, which further validates the notorious fact that the Tinubu-led APC administration is completely disconnected and unconcerned with the hardship Nigerians are going through as a result of the ill-implemented policies and gross mismanagement of resources under the President’s watch.

“Nigerians were appalled that despite the prodding by the PDP and well-meaning citizens, President Tinubu’s New Year speech did not articulate any specific direction for the nation or proffer solution to the myriad of problems caused by APC’s misrule.

“President Tinubu’s speech again underlines APC’s insensitivity to the anguish of Nigerians by failing to present any definite policy roadmap towards reducing the price of petroleum products, addressing the widespread hunger in the land and revamping our ailing productive sector.

“The speech did not articulate any solution-based direction for the critical sectors of electricity, oil and gas, road infrastructure, food production among other areas that are fundamental to the wellbeing of citizens.

“It was also pathetically devoid of a precise plan to address unemployment through strategic investment to stimulate multisectoral Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in the country.

“If indeed the APC administration has the interest of Nigerians at heart, the New Year address would have made definite pronouncements on the price of fuel especially given that with a deft, transparent and innovative management of resources, economic potentials, comparative advantage, national refining capacity and effective policing of our borders, Nigerians should not pay more than N350 per liter for petrol within the country.

“In any case, from the speech, it is clear that the Tinubu-led APC administration lacks the expected patriotic commitment as well as required capacity, competence and skills to effectively harness and manage the resources of the nation for the good of the citizens.

“Moreover, President Tinubu’s claim in the speech that Nigerians placed their confidence in him as their President is ludicrous and shows that he is disconnected from the reality of his abysmal perception among Nigerians.

“Mr. President must realize that Nigerians have lost faith in his administration, they have since moved on and are eagerly waiting for the next round of election that will mark the end of the nightmare which the APC represents to our nation.

“Our Party however counsels President Tinubu to redeem his image by ending the insensitivity of his administration, listen to Nigerians and get more committed and focused on the purpose of governance which is the welfare and security of the people.”

Talk without action pushing Nigerians deeper into poverty – CUPP

On its part, the CUPP said President Tinubu’s speeches which have so far not been matched with corresponding action are pushing more Nigerians into excruciating poverty.

National Secretary of the CUPP, Chief Peter Ameh said this in response to questions on the President’s New Year Day nationwide address.

Ameh said, “2024 was a very harsh year for most Nigerians because of the impulsive decisions taken by the government.

“You can’t even hide it anymore, when the President says he has dealt with corruption there are no facts to support this assertion. Let’s look at the corruption perception index, Nigeria ranks 143rd out of 149 countries.

“The President promised to ensure we till more land for agriculture annually to reduce food inflation, well that has not happened.

“It’s all been talk and more talk no action this has pushed poverty to 56 per cent of our population roughly 129 million of our citizens are today living below the poverty line.

“I also heard Mr President give an example of his friend who could not longer put fuel in his Rolls Royce or something and is now driving a Honda, but has he given a thought to those who used to drive Honda, Camry and other low fuel consumption vehicles?

“With his single pronouncement of the removal of subsidies, the cost of public transportation jumped by 300 per cent.

“The cost of debt service jumped from N87 trillion to over N130 trillion under his watch.

On the Presidential plan to float a company to reduce inflation, Ameh said, “This is simply another ploy to increase administrative bottlenecks into the process.

“We have existing agencies and parastatals that can handle such matters. What is required is to strengthen them to deliver.

“This is just like the Ministry of Livestock Development when we have the Ministry of Agriculture.

“Food inflation is currently at about 80 percent this can be brought down substantially if the right actions are taken.”