Tinubu’s Media Chat Shows He Doesn’t Care About Economic Hardship – PDP Says

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's comments in a recent media chat have sparked considerable controversy and criticism from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who argue that his statements reveal a lack of concern for the economic hardships faced by Nigerians.

The PDP's spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the president's remarks, particularly his unapologetic stance on the removal of the petrol subsidy, which has exacerbated the economic challenges in the country.

During the media chat held on Monday, President Tinubu emphasized that he had no regrets about removing the petrol subsidy, a decision that has been met with widespread disapproval due to its severe impact on the cost of living and the productive sector.

Ologunagba criticized this move, stating that it has driven citizens into extreme poverty and early death, highlighting the disconnect between the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government and the primary purpose of governance, which is the welfare and security of its citizens.

The PDP further accused the APC administration of failing to account for the proceeds saved from the subsidy removal, leaving Nigerians to bear the brunt of economic hardship. Ologunagba pointed out that instead of acknowledging these failures and seeking solutions, President Tinubu claimed that the nation's economy had improved under his leadership.

However, the PDP countered this claim by highlighting the deteriorating value of the naira, soaring inflation rates of 34.6 percent, and a comatose productive sector as evidence of the worsening economic situation.

Moreover, the PDP challenged President Tinubu's assertion that Nigerians can now safely travel by road despite ongoing issues of kidnappings and insecurity on highways.

Ologunagba urged the president to personally experience the reality by traveling from Abuja to Lagos by road, visiting markets, or walking the streets to gain a true understanding of the country's situation rather than relying on potentially fabricated statistics provided by government officials.

In addition to the economic concerns, President Tinubu's media chat also touched on other critical issues. He addressed the topic of corruption, acknowledging that while it cannot be entirely eradicated, it can be minimized through specific mechanisms.

He cited initiatives such as the student loan scheme, an increase in the minimum wage, and the removal of petrol subsidies as efforts to combat corruption within his administration.

However, the president's comments regarding the fatal stampedes in Oyo, Anambra, and Abuja drew criticism. Over 60 people, including children, lost their lives in these incidents, and President Tinubu attributed the blame to the organizers, describing it as a grave error on their part. This response was seen by some as an attempt to deflect responsibility from the government's role in ensuring public safety during such events.

Furthermore, President Tinubu addressed the issue of tax bills before the National Assembly, emphasizing the need for negotiations and concessions in tax amendments.

He acknowledged the opposition from northern governors who viewed the bills as "anti-North" but maintained that borrowing money from international financial institutions to finance Nigeria's budget was not a criminal act. Instead, he argued that such loans were necessary for developing the nation's infrastructure.

Despite calls to downsize his cabinet to reduce the cost of governance, President Tinubu firmly stated that he was not prepared to do so. He justified the size of his government by asserting that each member had a specific role to fulfill, and reducing the cabinet would hinder their ability to carry out their assignments effectively.