The Labour Party has expressed disappointment and dismay at President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s remarks downplaying the widespread poverty and hardship caused by his administration’s policies.
In a statement, the National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, criticized the President for mocking Nigerians’ suffering, noting that his comments are disheartening and insensitive.
Ifoh emphasized that the government’s priority should be to alleviate poverty, hunger, and disease, rather than indulging in opulence.
The party condemned the allocation of billions for presidential lodge renovations and new jets, while public servants’ wages remain unpaid and schools and health institutions suffer neglect.
The LP urged President Tinubu to uphold his constitutional duty to prioritize the security and welfare of Nigerians, labeling his comments as a mockery of the suffering masses, according to TheAuthority.
Ifoh said that “assuming but not conceding that what he said is true, Nigerians who are at the receiving end of his harsh economic policies don’t need to be reminded about the pain and hunger they have been forced to live with by the very people who put them in that situation in the first place.
“May be this administration needs to be reminded that it was elected to reduce if not eliminate poverty, hunger and disease but what we have seen is an obsession with opulence.
“We are yet to get over the billions appropriated for the renovation of the President and Vice President’s lodges, now we hear they want new jets to join the Presidential fleet.
“Our schools and health institutions are on their knees, the same government claims it cannot afford to pay public servants a living wage but has enough to make itself comfortable at the expense of the suffering masses.
“Mr. President, we implore you to uphold the constitution you swore to protect. The constitution says the security and welfare of the populace shall be the primary purpose of the existence of your government. Enough is this mockery.”