A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, backed by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has criticised President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, for blaming the opposition for Nigeria’s economic hardship.
Tinubu had spoken at the APC presidential campaign flag-off at Kaduna Township Stadium on Saturday, where he said his administration was working to end hardship caused by the opposition.
However, the PDP faction rejected the president’s position, insisting that the APC government must take responsibility for the country’s economic difficulties.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, said the opposition, particularly the PDP, should not be blamed for the challenges Nigerians are facing.
In a statement, the faction described Tinubu’s remarks as “attempts to evade responsibility and divert public attention from the pressing challenges facing the country under the APC-led administration.”
It urged the ruling party to focus on practical measures to ease the burden on citizens instead of engaging in political arguments.
The PDP asked the government to explain how it plans to make food affordable, support farmers, boost local food production, create jobs, improve security, tackle corruption, increase electricity supply, lower transport costs and restore Nigerians’ purchasing power.
“We firmly reject any attempt to use the PDP’s sixteen years in government as a blanket justification for the shortcomings of the present administration,” the statement said.
“After APC's more than 10 years in office, Nigerians deserve answers, not excuses,” the statement added.
The PDP also maintained that although the country’s past could help explain some of its current difficulties, previous administrations should not be used as a permanent excuse for the government’s failures.
“Every administration must be judged by its policies, decisions, achievements, and, most importantly, the living conditions of the people it governs,” it said.
The faction added that Nigerians wanted affordable food, economic stability and better security rather than continuous political disputes and attempts to shift blame.
It also claimed that the growing demand for a return to PDP leadership reflected citizens’ desire for better governance, improved living standards and a more secure country.
The party insisted that the federal government must take responsibility for its performance and introduce practical, measurable and sustainable policies to improve living conditions.
It called on the Tinubu administration to present a credible plan for economic recovery, food security and improved living standards across the country.