The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction backed by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has criticised President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) over their comments blaming the opposition for hunger and poverty in Nigeria.
Speaking at the APC presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna on Saturday, Tinubu said his administration was “trying to eradicate” the hardship “created by his opponents”.
“I hear my opponents talking about hunger and poverty. Who created it? They did. They created the hunger; they created the poverty. We are trying to eradicate it,” Tinubu said.
On Monday, APC spokesperson Felix Morka also blamed the PDP for the country’s economic difficulties.
The PDP governed Nigeria from 1999 to 2015. Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) standard-bearer, were both members of the party before leaving.
In a statement, Jungudo Mohammed, spokesperson for the Wike-backed PDP faction, described Tinubu’s remarks as “attempts to evade responsibility and divert public attention from the pressing challenges facing the country”.
“Rather than engaging in political blame games, the APC should explain what it intends to do to make food affordable, support farmers, strengthen local food production, create jobs, improve security, fight corruption, improve electricity supply, reduce transportation costs, and restore the purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians, among other pressing concerns,” the statement reads.
Mohammed said the PDP recognised some achievements of the Tinubu administration but argued that they did not justify using the party’s 16 years in government as a “blanket justification” for the current administration’s shortcomings.
“Acknowledging any genuine achievements must not be misconstrued as an endorsement of all government policies or an acceptance of attempts to shift responsibility for current economic difficulties to previous PDP-led administrations,” he said.
He added that Nigerians expected the APC to account for its time in office and explain how it planned to address the country’s challenges.
“After more than APC’s 10 years in office, Nigerians deserve answers, not excuses. The APC must tell Nigerians what it has achieved, outline the concrete measures it is taking to address the country’s present-day challenges, and demonstrate its commitment to improving the welfare of citizens rather than continually dragging the PDP into its own shortcomings.”
Mohammed said the PDP remained confident that Nigerians would assess political parties based on their records, policies and commitment to public welfare.
He also claimed that Nigerians increasingly wanted the PDP to return to power to address demands for better governance, improved living conditions and a safer, more prosperous country.
“Our message to the APC is simple: stop the blame game and start taking responsibility. Nigerians deserve solutions, not excuses,” Mohammed said.
The PDP spokesperson urged Tinubu to account for his administration’s performance and present a credible plan for economic recovery, food security and improved living standards across the country.