By Divine Ihechimerem
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of imposing hardship on Nigerians, stating that the populace is frustrated with the current state of the nation.
The PDP also claimed that the APC has desecrated the democratic principles, legacies, and values for which the late Chief MKO Abiola labored and died.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP urged Nigerians to use this year’s Democracy Day to “speak against the anti-democratic tendencies of the APC, which is suffocating the nation, inflicting hardship, trampling on the will and rights of citizens, and seeking to impose a totalitarian system.”
“It is distressing that our nation is observing Democracy Day under a system that indulges in blatant constitutional violations, election rigging, stifling and manipulation of opposition, silencing dissenting voices, and undermining the judicial system and other democratic institutions in a bid to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.”
“Even more troubling is that all the progress and gains made by successive PDP administrations in entrenching democratic practices in Nigeria have been reversed by the APC administrations.”
The opposition party highlighted the recent inauguration of a N21 billion luxury mansion for Vice President Kashim Shettima by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This, they argue, is a stark contrast to the dire state of the nation’s infrastructure, the over 40% unemployment rate, widespread starvation, and the lack of basic equipment in schools and hospitals. They see it as a sign of the APC administration’s insensitivity, arrogance, impunity, and reckless misallocation of resources.
The PDP called on President Tinubu to use Democracy Day as an opportunity to reflect deeply on the state of the nation under his leadership, especially given the growing public agitation over hunger and the high cost of living.
The party reminded President Tinubu of the widespread destitution and warned that the reaction of a hungry populace could be severe. They urged him to listen to Nigerians and review policies that are suffocating life in the country, in keeping with democratic tenets.
The PDP emphasized that democracy is about the supremacy of the will of the people, the rule of law, and the pursuit of citizens’ security and wellbeing. They accused the APC administrations of completely violating these ideals, disregarding public opinion, and burdening the people with multiple taxes while looting the treasury to finance their luxury lifestyles, thereby subjecting Nigerians to a life of 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, ill-implemented, anti-people policies and programs of the APC, which has weaponized poverty in the country.”
The PDP also criticized the recent increases in fuel prices and electricity tariffs, noting the absence of corresponding policies or programs aimed at improving the welfare of the people. This, they said, further highlights the anti-people stance of the APC administrations.