Independence: Reduce pump price of fuel now, PDP tells Tinubu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government to immediately reduce the pump price of fuel and stem the slide in the value of the Naira.

The opposition party also charged Nigerians to use the 2024 Independence Day Anniversary to reawaken the spirit of Nationalism in defence of democracy against the “emerging totalitarianism being foisted on our nation by the APC”.

Hon. Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary of the party, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

The PDP urged Nigerians not to surrender to the “bullying tactics of the APC administration which seeks to undermine the Constitution, emasculate citizens, compromise Institutions of Democracy and turn Nigeria into a fiefdom where APC leaders arrogantly carry on like lords and treat other citizens as conquered people.”

The party which called on the APC to recognize that Nigeria is an independent nation and that sovereignty belongs to the people, noted that the time has come to “listen to Nigerians and review all its anti-people policies and actions that are suffocating life in the country.

“The Federal Government should, without further delay, reduce the pump price of fuel and stem the slide in the value of the Naira by immediately reordering resources to jumpstart the ailing productive sector.”

According to the PDP, “the Independence Day celebration is not the symbolic marching at parade grounds, taking of salutes, inspection of guards and making of speeches but it is the freedom of the citizens to express themselves, pursue legitimate endeavors and freely participate in the process to choose those who lead them through an unhindered expression of their Will at elections.

“It is therefore an irony that the APC deludes itself that Nigerians should celebrate Independence which essence has been completely diminished by the anti-people policies and programs of the APC that have not only discounted the lives of citizens but also deprived them of the independence to legitimately pursue their endeavors and freely participate in governance.”

The party accused the APC of not being interested in the wellbeing of the people, “Instead, it is practically returning our nation to a state of bondage, where government is a cabal that has no respect for citizens but relishes in inflicting pain and hardship; where dissenting voices are treated as enemies of State, where corruption, treasury looting, election manipulation, suppression and exploitation of citizens through excruciating tariffs and taxes are now instituted as State policies.

“It is indeed agonizing that all the gains achieved by the PDP in the development of our democracy and credible electoral process; personal freedom, liberty and security of citizens; good governance that resulted in better living standards and flourishing investments in education, healthcare, electricity, housing, railways and roads infrastructure, manufacturing, hospitality, real estate among others have all been reversed by the APC.”