The Presidential Campaign Organisation of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate, Mr Seyi Makinde, and his running mate, Mr Lawal Daura, has faulted President Bola Tinubu’s 66th Independence Day address, describing it as “rhetorical” and bereft of concrete solutions to Nigeria’s economic hardship, poverty and insecurity.
The campaign organisation said the address failed to present specific, measurable and binding economic and security policy commitments for which Nigerians could hold the administration accountable.
The Director of Strategic Communications of the Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mr Richard Ihediwa, gave the campaign body’s position in Abuja on Thursday while reacting to the President’s address.
Ihediwa stated: “It is indeed disappointing that the President’s address failed to present specific, measurable and binding economic and security policy commitments for which Nigerians can hold him accountable.
“Instead, the speech remained vague and failed to provide concrete answers or direction on major national issues.
“This lack of binding policy commitment shows that the All Progressives Congress administration has no solution to the challenges facing our nation.”
The organisation said the four consecutive Independence Day speeches delivered by Tinubu since assuming office in 2023 had contained promises of a better future without delivering the expected improvements to Nigerians.
It also faulted the President’s claim that his administration’s reforms had not weakened the economy, arguing that the removal of the petrol subsidy and the floating of the naira had triggered severe economic disruptions.
The organisation claimed that the reforms had contributed to a sharp increase in the price of petrol and a significant weakening of the naira, with consequences for businesses and households across the country.
According to Ihediwa, the impact of the reforms included the weakening of the productive sector, closure of businesses, increased transportation and food costs, reduced purchasing power and rising poverty.
The campaign organisation also alleged that the departure of several multinational companies from Nigeria reflected the difficult operating environment created by the government’s economic policies.
Ihediwa said the President’s promise of prosperity was not matched by decisive plans to address the country’s infrastructure deficit, estimated at $2.3 trillion, or clear commitments on agriculture, industrialisation and local manufacturing.
He also questioned the government’s borrowing plans, citing the country’s rising debt and the reported request for a $1.5 billion World Bank loan.
On insecurity, the organisation said the address failed to provide sufficient reassurance to families and communities affected by killings, abductions and other violent attacks.
Ihediwa added that the campaign organisation believed Nigerians deserved “a new leadership” that would listen to citizens, understand their challenges, take responsibility and deliver results.
He declared that the organisation was confident that voters would support the APM presidential candidate, Engr. Seyi Makinde, whom he described as possessing the capacity, commitment and blueprint required to “Reset Nigeria” and guarantee the security and wellbeing of citizens.