By John Alechenu

ABUJA – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s maiden media chat, describing it as a confirmation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration’s insensitivity to the suffering of Nigerians.

In a statement released in Abuja, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, expressed concerns about the government’s failure to address the widespread hardship caused by what the party described as ill-implemented and anti-people policies.

Ologunagba said, “The Presidential media parley confirms the administration’s insensitivity to the current widespread hardship and suffering being faced by Nigerians resulting from the ill-implemented and anti-people policies of the APC.”

The PDP took issue with President Tinubu’s assertion that he has no regrets about the abrupt removal of the fuel subsidy, despite the absence of cushioning measures to mitigate its economic impact. Ologunagba noted that this decision has led to crippling effects on the productive sector, skyrocketing living costs, and worsening poverty.

According to the PDP, Tinubu’s admission of the government’s inability to effectively police the nation’s borders and prevent the smuggling of petroleum products underscores the APC administration’s failure.

The PDP criticized the APC for failing to account for the savings from the removal of the fuel subsidy while subjecting Nigerians to crushing economic hardship. The party highlighted issues such as a comatose productive sector, the depreciating value of the Naira (₦1,700 to the US Dollar), a 34.6% inflation rate, and 40% unemployment.

Ologunagba referenced recent food stampedes that led to the deaths of around 80 Nigerians, describing them as evidence of the perilous times under APC governance. The party also condemned Tinubu’s claims of improved road safety, contrasting it with the reality of banditry, kidnapping, and poor road conditions across the country.

The PDP faulted the APC for its failure to invest meaningfully in agriculture, electricity, petroleum, gas, and small and medium-scale enterprises, which are vital for driving the national economy.

The PDP urged President Tinubu to experience the harsh realities faced by ordinary Nigerians by traveling from Abuja to Lagos by road, visiting markets, or walking the streets to understand the true state of the nation rather than relying on fabricated statistics provided by government officials.

Ologunagba concluded by urging the administration to take immediate and meaningful steps to address the suffering of Nigerians and rebuild trust.