Protest: PDP flays Tinubu over failure to address Nigerians

…Tasks President to reduce fuel price, stem fall of Naira

*As President addresses nation by 7am Sunday

By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has flayed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his failure to address the nation despite the crippling nationwide EndBadGovernance protest by Nigerians.

However, the President has disclosed his readiness to address the nation tomorrow (Sunday) by 7am.

The PDP, in a statement Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba, demanded that President Tinubu immediately address Nigerians on urgent steps to reduce the price of petroleum products, stem the fall of the Naira and ensure speedy provision of food among other critical issues so as to revamp the productive sector, stimulate employment and restore stability in the polity.

According to the statement, “Our Party expresses concerns that President Tinubu’s silence is sending a very dangerous signal and heightening public apprehension that the All Progressives Congress (APC) government is insensitive to the feelings of the citizens and the overall sorry state of affairs in the nation.

“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 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

“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.

“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.

“Furthermore, 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 called 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.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu will address the nation in a broadcast on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at 7:00 am.

A statement by the the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Chief Ajuri Ngelale, said, “Television, radio, and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to plug into the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) for the broadcast.

‘The broadcast will be repeated on the network services of the NTA and the FRCN at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm on the same day”, the statement by Ngelale said.