President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s New Year 2025 address has drawn strong criticism from the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which described it as evidence of his administration’s disconnection from the realities faced by Nigerians.
The PDP accused the president of showing indifference to the hardships endured by citizens due to poorly executed policies and alleged mismanagement of the nation’s resources.
The PDP argued that the speech lacked any concrete plans to tackle pressing issues such as the soaring cost of living, crumbling infrastructure, and unemployment.
According to the opposition, the address failed to provide practical solutions for critical sectors like electricity, fuel, road networks, and agriculture—areas vital to improving the everyday lives of Nigerians.
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba in Abuja on Wednesday, criticised the absence of decisive measures to lower petrol prices, which continue to burden ordinary citizens.
“The speech did not articulate any solution-based direction for the critical sectors of electricity, oil and gas, road infrastructure, food production among other areas that are fundamental to the wellbeing of citizens. It was also pathetically devoid of a precise plan to address unemployment through strategic investment to stimulate multisectoral Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in the country,” Ologunagba stated.
The statement suggested that with proper resource management, transparent governance, and effective border control, the cost of fuel should not exceed ₦350 per litre. Instead, the administration’s inaction has further eroded public trust, the PDP claimed, adding that Nigerians are now looking ahead to the next elections as a chance to end what it called a “nightmare.”
The PDP urged President Tinubu to show greater sensitivity, listen to the populace, and prioritise governance that addresses the welfare and security of the people. They warned that failure to act decisively would deepen the administration’s isolation from the citizens it claims to serve.
“Our Party, however, counsels President Tinubu to redeem his image by ending the insensitivity of his administration, listen to Nigerians and get more committed and focused on the purpose of governance which is the welfare and security of the people,” the statement added.
