….say Nigerians Deserve Better Package
By Paul Effiong, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Caucus in the House of Representatives has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of delibrately failing to address Nigerians challenges adding that most citizens are groaning under hardship, insecurity, and worsening poverty.
The lawmakers under PDP insisted that Nigerians deserve better leadership even as they urged president Tinubu to urgently change course of action for the betterment of the country and her citizenry.
The Caucus stated this yesterday in a press briefing shortly after an emergency meeting held in Abuja even as they also declared support for the decisions of the party’s leadership at its recent meetings held in Zamfara State.
The Caucus, therefore used the forum to congratulate Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagun on his formal emergence as the National Chairman of the PDP.
Speaking during the press conference, the leader of the Caucus, Hon. Fred Agbedi, disclosed that Damagun’s election was a demonstration of the PDP’s strict adherence to due process, constitutionalism as well as internal democracy.
He, however used the opportunity to commend the peaceful conduct of the party’s National Executive Committee,NEC, session, which he obserbed received overwhelming backing from governors, former ministers, the Board of Trustees, and other key stakeholders within and beyond the party.
Hon Agbedi, however, turned his focus on the Tinubu-led APC government, accusing it of undermining democracy in Osun State even as he also condemned the alleged seizure of local government funds despite a valid court ruling affirming the legality of elections in the state.
According to the lawmaker, such actions are “anti-democratic and unconstitutional.”
The Caucus further explained: “We urge Mr. President to immediately stop this illegality by releasing funds to the validly elected local government administrations in Osun State. Democracy cannot thrive where court judgments are ignored,”
He maintained that Nigerians are closely watching the government’s disregard for the rule of law stressing that illegality against the people and the citizens are unconstitutional.
The Caucus also expressed deep concern over rising insecurity across the country, citing the incessant killings in Zamfara, Benue, Plateau, Katsina, and Borno States.
Lawmakers under the PDP platform also accused the APC government of abdicating its primary responsibility of protecting citizens.
The Caucus explained: “A government that cannot safeguard its people has lost the moral right to remain in office,”
They further lamented the rising cost of living, unemployment, and what they described as “unbearable economic hardship.” warning that, Nigerians are committing suicide due to hopelessness, while millions can barely afford food and shelter.
They accused the APC government of inflicting untold suffering on the general populace without remorse.
The Caucus also recalled how former President Goodluck Jonathan swiftly cut short a foreign trip during the Chibok abduction crisis to show solidarity with Nigerians even as they also criticized President Tinubu for embarking on foreign trips while insecurity and mass killings persist at home.
They stated that: “Over 10,000 Nigerians have been killed in two years, yet the president is absent when the people need him most,”
Consequently, the PDP Caucus demanded for urgent payment of Nigerian contractors who have completed government projects without payment.
They equally accused the federal government of favoring foreign contractors while indigenous ones are left unpaid adding that such decision by the government is creating huge business collapse and job losses across Nigeria.
The lawmakers vowed to continue holding President Tinubu administration accountable, promising to expose all forms of illegality as well as push for justice and legislate in favor of the poor masses.
“Nigerians deserve a government that listens, obeys the law, and delivers dividends of democracy.
“APC has failed, and come 2027, Nigerians will decide wisely,” he emphasized
