- By Safiu Kehinde
Rather than listen, PRP alleged, the APC has called those offering useful suggestions “rabble-rousers.”
The opposition Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has faulted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his alleged failure to apologise to Nigerians over the alleged hardship brought on the citizens with his government policies.
PRP said that it expected the president to have pleaded with Nigerians on the hardship during his nationwide broadcast made on Sunday.
In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Falalu Bello, PRP also accused the ruling All Progressive Congress of shutting out alternative opinions on the running of government.
Rather than listen, PRP alleged, the APC has called those offering useful suggestions “rabble-rousers.”
The PRP condemned those calling for military take over because of the hardship. It said that a coup is not an option saying that the people should only be ready to vote out any bad government.
“In the said 4-8-24 PBAT speech, the president unfortunately neither apologised to Nigerians for the economic hardship his 16-month administration has brought to Nigerians nor for the myriad of problems the nation is facing, such as increased corruption, an increase in the cost of governance, an increase in insecurity, and wasteful expenditures,” PRP said of Tinubu’s speech
While admitting to Tinubu’s claims of federal revenue, PRP, however, advised the President to address the concerns of the protesters.
“True, there have been increases in revenue to the federal, state, and local governments, but these increases did not come owing to an increase in economic activities or blockage of wasteful expenditures as claimed but came because of the massive devaluation of the national currency and no more.
“The revenue increase to N9.1 trillion came because of devaluation, and if this N9.1 trillion is to be divided by the current exchange rate, the nation has earned less than what was earned in the corresponding period of President Muhammadu Buhari’s (PMB) government.
“We can go on to puncture most of the claims made in the speech and show that the PBAT government is still bedevilled by incidences of bad governance but would not do so. We, however, would here humbly suggest to the PABT government to address the concerns of the protesters and other Nigerians by addressing the monumental increase in cost of living brought about by the removal of petroleum subsidies, the removal of electricity subsidies, and the devaluation of the naira, which largely increased inflation in Nigeria;
“Reduction in the costs of governance by reducing the size of the existing cabinet, reducing their salary and perks, and initiating a substantial reduction of the cost of the National Assembly to the nation;
“Start addressing corruption in the land by prosecuting identified cases of corruption, beginning with his cabinet members and members of the National Assembly with EFCC cases;
“Address insecurity in the land by giving the security high commands (military and police) time to rid this country of banditry and kidnappings; otherwise, he changes them and appoints those willing and able to address the insecurity in Nigeria; and,
“Stop wasteful expenditures in the presidency, such as the purchase of a new presidential jet, a presidential yacht, exotic cars for the presidency and the national assembly, etc.” The statement read.
PRP further commended the some of the protesters who ensured a peaceful protest while condemning those who turned the protest in to riot and looting as observed in some parts of the country.