The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of causing hardship for Nigerians, stating that the populace is frustrated with the country’s current situation,Daily Trust reports.
The PDP also criticized the APC for undermining the democratic principles, legacies, and values that the late Chief MKO Abiola championed and sacrificed his life for.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP urged Nigerians to use this year’s Democracy Day to protest against the APC’s anti-democratic tendencies, which it claims are suffocating, inflicting hardship, trampling on citizens’ rights, and attempting to establish a totalitarian system in the nation.
“It is distressing that our nation is observing Democracy Day under a regime that openly violates the Constitution, rigs elections, stifles and manipulates opposition, silences dissenting voices, and undermines the judicial system and other democratic institutions in a desperate attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.
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“Even more concerning is that all the progress and gains made by successive PDP administrations in fostering democratic practices in Nigeria have been undone by the APC administrations.”
The PDP also pointed out the recent unveiling of a N21 billion luxury mansion for Vice President Kashim Shettima by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This extravagance, the PDP argued, is particularly insensitive in a country suffering from collapsing infrastructure, over 40% unemployment, widespread hunger, and poorly equipped schools and hospitals, illustrating the APC’s arrogance, impunity, and reckless mismanagement of resources.
“Our party urges President Tinubu to use Democracy Day to deeply reflect on the state of the nation under his leadership, especially considering the growing public unrest over hunger and the high cost of living.
“The PDP again reminds President Tinubu that there is widespread destitution, and the reaction of a hungry populace is unpredictable. Mr. President should, in keeping with democratic principles, listen to Nigerians and reconsider policies that are choking the life out of the country.”
The PDP emphasized that democracy is about the supremacy of the people’s will, the rule of law, and the pursuit of citizens’ security and well-being. However, these ideals have “been completely violated by the APC administrations, whose leaders disregard public opinion and burden the people with multiple taxes while looting the treasury to fund their luxurious lifestyles, leaving other Nigerians in fear, uncertainty, despondency, and abject poverty.
“It is saddening that instead of celebrating freedom and good governance—the very essence of democracy that Chief MKO Abiola stood for—Nigerians are in anguish over the exploitative, poorly implemented, anti-people policies and programs of the APC, which have weaponized poverty in the country.
“The increase in fuel prices and hike in electricity tariffs, with no corresponding tangible policies or programs aimed at the welfare of the people, further demonstrate the anti-people stance of the APC administrations,” the statement concluded.
