Hunger Protest: PDP Says Tinubu’s Silence Increasing Public Anxiety

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized President Bola Tinubu for not addressing the nation amid the ongoing EndBadGovernance protests.

With many Nigerians facing severe economic hardships and struggling to afford basic necessities, youths have taken to the streets since Thursday in cities such as Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, and Rivers, demanding an end to hunger and poor governance.

In a statement on Saturday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba urged Tinubu to break his silence, address the nation immediately, and reassure citizens about the pressing issues they face.

The statement read, “The PDP demands that President Tinubu immediately address Nigerians on urgent steps to reduce the price of petroleum products, stem the fall of the Naira, and ensure the speedy provision of food, among other critical issues, to revamp the productive sector, stimulate employment, and restore stability in the polity.

“Our Party expresses concern 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 good governance, protection, security, and welfare, which are the primary purposes 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.”

The PDP also called for a comprehensive investigation into the reported killing of unarmed Nigerians, allegedly by security operatives. The statement continued, “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 deft, transparent, and innovative management of resources, economic potentials, comparative advantage, and refining capacity, petrol should not sell for more than N200 per litre 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 programs that directly benefit 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 a high level of professionalism in their duty of providing security and protection to the citizens.”