By Olusegun Olanrewaju
Two Nigerian opposition political parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) yesterday accused the All Progressives Congress APC) administration of President Bola Tinubu of implementing anti-people policies.
According to the duo, the implementation of such policies has made it difficult for many people to celebrate, even in a festive period like the Eid-el-Kabir festivities.
The two parties’ criticisms came on a day President Tinubu clocked one month in office.
Response and flak came almost immediately from the Presidency, which accused the parties, particularly the PDP, of envying Tinubu’s achievements in three weeks.
According to the Presidency, the president did in three weeks what the PDP could not do in 16 years.
The APC also urged Nigerians to continue supporting President Tinubu “because he is taking courageous and decisive steps to reposition Nigeria for rapid economic growth and wholesome greatness.
Observers note that this year’s Eid al-Adha, otherwise known as Eid-el-Kabir or the Feast of Sacrifice, was held on low-key.
The PDP cautioned the APC and the Federal Government against “visiting anti-people policies on Nigerians”.
It also asked the people to use the divine occasion to pray fervently for the triumph of justice and the will of the Almighty Allah in the affairs of the nation.
The PDP also commended Nigerians for their resilience in the face of the “most harrowing economic hardship under the APC Federal Government,” urging them to reinforce their patience, hope, and trust in God, despite the prevailing economic, social, and security challenges.
The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Debo Ologunagba, said, “Our party charges Nigerians not to allow the hardship and sense of uncertainty they face at the moment to make them lose sight of the essence of the Eid-el-Kabir; the demand for selflessness, absolute trust, and submission to the will, authority, and command of Allah in all issues of life.
“The PDP describes as heart-rending that Nigerians are currently undergoing the most harrowing economic hardship under the APC-led Federal Government which continues to impose life discounting policies, with attendant hardship, on the people without verifiable plans for relief.
It, however, urged Nigerians not to despair but use the Eid-el-Kabir celebration to further unite in love, support, and care for one another at this critical time.”
But criticising the PDP’s statement that the Tinubu-led APC administration was implementing anti-people policies, the Presidency said the leading opposition party in the country was envious of its rival’s achievements within three weeks.
The Presidency, through the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications, and Strategy, Dele Alake, also said it was expected that the PDP that allegedly lacked the mental capacity and managerial acumen while in charge of the government for 16 years would say worse things in days to come.
Alake said: “They (PDP) will say that, they will even say worse. That is very mild coming from them. We expect them to say worse because all the time they were in government, they lacked the gut, mental capacity, physical resourcefulness, and vision to do what the government has done or accomplished within three short weeks.
“What they could not do in 16 years of holding the presidency of this country, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration did within three short weeks. So what do you expect them to say?
“They lacked that mental capacity, physical wherewithal, and managerial acumen to achieve those bold goals, so they have to be envious. So, it is normal, it is natural. If I were you, there is no news in what they have said. It is expected.”
On its part, LP slammed President Tinubu’s administration for showing early signs of continuing “the wasteful lifestyle” of its predecessor with its long convoy of vehicles and bloated bureaucracy.
Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, said this in Abuja yesterday.
He said it is ironic that an administration whose legitimacy is still being challenged in court will ask Nigerians to “tighten their belts and make sacrifices” while living in opulence.
Ifoh said, “It is unfortunate that this APC administration, which is still struggling for legitimacy in court, has inflicted pain and suffering on Nigerians just under one month since assuming power albeit temporarily.
“This is an administration that has supervised increases in the pump price of petroleum products, electricity tariffs, and vehicle registration among others, but has refused to cut the cost of governance.
