The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has come out strongly to criticize the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration, accusing it of plunging Nigeria into bondage with its borrowing spree and inability to address the country’s economic and security challenges. PDP national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba, made this known during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja, reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day broadcast.
According to Ologunagba, the APC-controlled Federal Government is enslaving the country through foreign loans, contradicting the very essence of independence, which should mean freedom. He challenged the government to provide a detailed account of the savings from the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and the utilization of loans obtained by the Tinubu administration.
The PDP spokesperson described the President’s speech as uninspiring and disappointing, filled with misleading claims and statistics that do not reflect the reality on the ground. “He claimed that the economy is performing well, but Nigerians are asking: which corner has the economy really turned?” Ologunagba queried, highlighting the country’s insecurity, rising costs, and families living in fear of kidnappers and bandits.
Ologunagba emphasized that the government has taken Nigeria backwards, citing the party’s past achievements in paying off debts and creating economic opportunities. In contrast, the APC has plunged the country into unsustainable debt without clear links to development projects, fueling corruption and waste. “That is not progress. It is dependence, not independence,” he stressed.
The PDP spokesperson also criticized the government’s plan to give ₦25,000 cash transfers to selected households, describing it as a token payment that does not address the root causes of poverty. Instead, he suggested policies that boost production, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth.
In other party matters, Ologunagba announced the dissolution of the State Working Committee (SWC) of Akwa Ibom Chapter and the establishment of a caretaker committee. Despite controversy surrounding the decision, Ologunagba maintained that there is no crisis in the party, emphasizing its commitment to accountability, transparency, and policies that will rebuild the economy and restore hope.
This criticism from the PDP comes on the heels of similar sentiments expressed by other notable figures, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who declared that Nigeria is in a state of bondage under the current administration. Obasanjo pointed to worsening insecurity, economic challenges, and tribalized leadership as core issues plaguing the nation.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has also weighed in, stating that Nigeria’s exclusion from high-level economic talks at the White House reflects the country’s diminished global standing under the APC administration. According to the ADC, this snub is a direct result of President Tinubu’s economic mismanagement and weak diplomacy.
As the country grapples with these challenges, the PDP’s call for accountability and transparency in governance becomes increasingly relevant. The party’s national convention, scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, is expected to reaffirm its commitment to the people and prepare the party to provide the leadership Nigeria needs.
