The Peoples Democratic Party (INC) has described President Bola Tinubu’s speech to the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters as a distraction.

PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, yesterday, said the speech failed to address the protesters’ concerns.

President Tinubu had , in early morning broadcast yesterday, urged the protesters to stop their demonstrations.

He explained that removing the fuel subsidy and unifying the foreign exchange systems were necessary steps to prevent exploitation by smugglers and rent-seekers.

Tinubu added that these measures also stopped unjust subsidies benefiting neighbouring countries at Nigerians’ expense, which had severely weakened the nation’s economy.

However, PDP, in its response, stated that Tinubu’s speech clearly demonstrates the All Progressives Congress administration’s insensitivity towards Nigerians and the dire situation in the country.

The statement reads, “Our party is appalled that despite the fact that it took President Tinubu the prodding of the PDP to speak to the nation, it is distressing that the speech failed to offer any concrete measure to address the excruciating hardship in the country.

“Mr President’s speech failed to respond to the demand by the citizens for immediate measures to reduce the price of petroleum products, halt the fall of the Naira and urgent intervention in the provision of food items to starving Nigerians.

“It is equally shocking that the speech did not order an investigation into the brutal killing of unarmed Nigerians by certain unscrupulous operatives of the APC-controlled security agencies while demanding good governance, protection, security and welfare, which are the primary purposes of government.

“Instead, the speech dwelt on APC’s counter-productive action of disregarding the feelings and pains of the people by focusing on self-praise, claims of imaginary achievements and empty projections in the face of the apparent and obvious failure of the APC in every aspect of governance.

“Such only reinforces public apprehension that the APC administration is uncaring and impervious to the suffering and pains of millions of Nigerians, particularly the youths whose dreams, hopes and aspirations are being dashed by the APC.”

The PDP urged Tinubu to reduce the size of the government and cut spending on luxury items to free up more resources for immediate efforts to improve the well-being of Nigerians.

It continued, “It is clear that the APC administration is overwhelmed and has no answers to the myriads of problems occasioned by its anti-people policies that are suffocating life in the country.

“The APC must admit failure and be willing to accept alternative views and suggestions at this moment recognizing that what Nigerians need now is solution and not rhetoric.

“Our party calls on President Tinubu to come to terms with the fact that the nation is in dire straits under his watch. He should address the demands of the people, particularly to reduce the cost of petroleum products, stabilize the Naira and take immediate steps towards the provision of food items to Nigerians.”

Meanwhile, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) also expressed concerns regarding Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast, stating the President failed to address the demands of ongoing protesters across Nigeria.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ezonebi Oyakemeagba, the INC criticised the President’s address for not adequately responding to these pressing issues.

“The president’s speech did not address the demands of Nigerians as expressed through the protesters,” the statement read.

Oyakemeagba noted that while Tinubu highlighted some of his achievements, he overlooked critical issues, saying, “He didn’t address the issues of cost of governance, corruption, the removal of subsidies on petroleum products, or the increase in electricity tariffs. Nigerians expected concrete statements on how these issues would be tackled, including a timeframe for solutions.”

He emphasised that the current economic climate is one of the worst in Nigeria’s history, lamenting, “The larger population of Nigerians is going through extreme poverty and hunger.

“The clear message from the protesters is that there is hunger in the country, a direct result of bad policies. Reducing the pump price of petroleum products could alleviate many of the challenges we are facing.”

The group also criticised the distribution of food aid by state governments, stating, “Imagine various state governments sharing rice and garri to citizens. This can only be experienced during war or natural disasters.”