Hardship Protest: Tinubu’s Silence Worrisome — Exacerbates Crisis, Says PDP

• The PDP condemned brutal alleged suppression of peaceful protesters APC-controlled security agencies.
• The party also demanded the recovery of stolen funds, reduction in tariffs, others. 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked President Bola Tinubu to immediately address Nigerians amid the ongoing nationwide protests.

Nigerians have been protesting in the streets since August 1, as part of the “10 Days of Rage” demonstrations, to express their outrage and demand change against the country’s poor governance.

On Saturday, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP’s national publicity secretary, expressed concern that President Tinubu’s silence on the ongoing protests had escalated tensions and intensified public unrest.

The PDP’s national publicity secretary, urged President Tinubu to immediately address the nation with concrete plans to mitigate the economic crisis, including reducing petroleum prices and stabilizing the naira.

Additionally, the PDP condemned the violent suppression of peaceful protests, alleging that the ruling party had sponsored thugs to provoke violence and bloodshed among defenseless demonstrators.

“It is indeed worrisome that President Tinubu could remain silent as Nigerians are on the streets demanding for good governance, protection, security and welfare, which are the primary purpose of government” the statement reads.

” The world is watching in horror as operatives of APC-controlled security agencies assault, shoot and kill unarmed protesters, with thugs allegedly mobilized by the APC also unleashing violence on innocent Nigerians.

“Our Party calls on President Tinubu to end his silence, immediately address the nation and reassure the citizens on issues agitating their minds particularly the reduction in the price of petroleum products and food items.”

The PDP spokesperson said effective resource management and strategic gas investment could lower fuel prices below ₦700 per litre.

“Our Party insists that with a deft, transparent and innovative management of resources, economic potentials, comparative advantage and refining capacity, petrol should not sell more than N200 per liter in Nigeria especially with a strategic investment in gas production,” he said.

” President Tinubu should also urgently commence the process of recovering the over N50 trillion reportedly stolen by APC leaders, reduce tariffs on essential goods, cut the cost of governance, review all luxury items in his government and channel funds recovered to programmes that have direct bearing on the wellbeing of Nigerians.”

The PDP also demanded a probe into the alleged killings by security forces, urges professionalism in their duties.

‘While calling for a thorough investigation into the reported killing of unarmed Nigerians by certain unscrupulous security operatives, the PDP urges the security agencies to ensure high level of professionalism in their duty of providing security and protection to the citizens,” the party said.

“The PDP again calls on Nigerians to remain peaceful and law-abiding in the pursuit of responsive and people-oriented government which has eluded the nation since the coming of the APC in 2015.”