Opposition parties in Nigeria have sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu and his cabinet, accusing them of poor governance and failing to address the nation’s pressing challenges.
In an interview with spokespersons from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Labour Party (LP), all expressed dissatisfaction with the administration’s performance.
The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, did not mince words when he described the Tinubu administration as a “monumental failure.”
He criticised the government’s inability to address key issues such as the rising cost of living, economic hardship, and the escalating insecurity in the country.
The National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Ladipo Johnson, also weighed in on the matter, calling for a cabinet reshuffle.
He argued that the current cabinet has failed to live up to the expectations of the people and that a shake-up is necessary to inject fresh energy into governance.
The Labour Party (LP), through its Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh, echoed the concerns raised by the PDP and NNPP, particularly focusing on the worsening issues of insecurity and economic hardship.
Ologunagba, speaking during the interview, said, “You can’t give what you don’t have.
“This government is a monumental failure; we can’t just talk about the ministers. They have failed in all aspects. The primary responsibility of every government is the security and welfare of the people, and with the killings and hardship, it is obvious that this government has failed.
“That’s why you see them now going into more of a panic mode of constantly governing by propaganda and lies. The one that is more pervasive is the issue of insecurity. There is no part of this country that’s immune to this cancer of insecurity.
“You recall President Tinubu saying that he was going to continue from where former President Muhammadu Buhari stopped. He has surpassed it in bringing more misery and death. He has brought sorrow to Nigerians. He has desecrated democracy as we knew it under the PDP.
“He has destroyed the economy. He has destroyed the livelihood of people. The health sector is in shambles. And so, in every aspect, this government has failed in providing the basic purpose of government. Which is security and the welfare of the people.”
When asked if the President should reshuffle his cabinet, Ologunagba described the APC-led government as unresponsive.
“When the government has demonstrated that it is deaf and impoverished in advice. Several people, particularly members of our party, the PDP, have made many suggestions, but this government does not listen.
“The government is deaf to Nigerians. And if it’s deaf to their feelings, it is insensitive to their sufferings.
“Also, the cabinet is a reflection of the leadership because the President is the one who appoints people into positions, right? So, if the government fails to provide security and welfare for the people, it means the President lacks the required leadership,” he said.
NNPP Publicity Secretary, Johnson, stated that it is time for President Tinubu to restructure his cabinet.
He expressed concern that Nigeria cannot continue operating at its present pace.
Johnson said, “It is time for President Tinubu to rejig his cabinet. It is time for him to do so. He really has to take stock and see whether he genuinely feels that we are moving in the right direction and at a reasonable pace, even if we are headed the right way.
“So, he probably needs a few new dynamic hands that can think outside the box to get some things done. We cannot continue at this level and pace and hope that things will be different. But, by May 29, our party, the NNPP, will come up with a comprehensive mid-term assessment of this administration.”
The LP scribe also urged the President to remove ministers who are not performing in their positions.
Ifon stated, “The President should deal with those who are not performing. If he finds that some are not living up to expectations, then of course, he should relieve such persons of their appointments. So, the buck stops on the President’s desk.
“We want a government that will focus more on security, economic development, and the overall well-being of Nigerians.”
The Chairman of the Centre for Accountability and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran, highlighted lapses in the ministries of education, health and security, noting that all social sectors of the economy were not “doing well.”
He argued, “When you look at education, education is rotting. Therefore, the Minister of Education should be held accountable, as not all our educational institutions are being well-managed, especially public institutions.
“The implementation of their curriculum has been watered down to the extent that an average graduate cannot defend the degree that they brandish around. And nothing is being done to improve the condition of students and teachers at all levels of education, from Primary to University levels.
“In most institutions, everything is inadequate: facilities, equipment, materials, and motivation from the teachers and lecturers to teach them.”
Adeniran decried blame-shifting in the administration, saying, “Now, I do not know which ministry is even responsible for our security. Because when you talk about the Chief of Air Staff or the Chief of Defence Staff, they push it to the Minister of Defence, the Minister pushes it to the President. But what affects us is that there is no security of life and property, meaning that the purpose of government has been defeated.”
“Then, healthcare delivery, with all the secondary and tertiary health institutions, is no longer worth its name.
“The primary healthcare institutions, and all those working there, are not well-motivated.
“The healthcare delivery is also in shambles. Not all social sectors can be said to be doing well.”