PDP reps to Tinubu: Nigerians groaning, committing suicide over hardship

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the house of representatives has asked President Bola Tinubu to urgently address the country’s economic hardship.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Fred Agbedi, the caucus leader who was flanked by his colleagues, said Nigerians are committing suicide over the worsening cost of living crisis. 

He condemned the killings in the country, saying Tinubu is busy embarking on foreign trips instead of visiting bereaved families.

“We also want to call the attention of the government in power to ensure that there’s safety for Nigerians from Imo, Katsina, Plateau, Benue, Zamfara, to Borno,” he said.

“There’s a lot of hardship in this country, and Nigerians are groaning in pains daily. People are committing suicide because the government is not paying attention to them.

“Nigerians are groaning, Mr President, ensure that you pay attention to the sufferings of Nigeria.

“We can imagine a situation where Nigerians are killed and Mr President is far away in Brazil and other countries.

“We remember when the Chibok incident happened, President Goodluck Jonathan was out of the country, but immediately cut short his trip, returned to Nigeria, and showed solidarity with Nigerians.”

Agbedi claimed that over 10,000 people have been killed in the last two years, describing it as “mind-boggling”.

‘RELEASE OSUN LG ALLOCATIONS’

Agbedi also asked Tinubu to order the release of Osun state’s LG allocations.

The funds have been withheld since the turn of the year following disputed local council polls.

“Osun state is led by a PDP governor, a successful government and a governor who has proved that he’s in touch with his people and is delivering dividends of democracy to the people of Osun state,” he said.

“We are surprised that a supposedly democratic person, the president of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who himself encountered a similar situation [when he was governor of Lagos] is holding the local government funds and local government administration of Osun state to ransom.

“This is anti-democratic and as a party caucus in the house of reps, who are lawmakers, insist that the right thing be done.

“Due process must be complied with and legal judgments obeyed so that the people of Osun will enjoy the benefits of local government administration.

“We urge Mr President to stop this illegality that is going on by seizing the funds of Osun local governments immediately.”

Agbedi urged the federal government to settle contractors protesting non-payment for projects executed.