The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a scathing critique of the proposed N47.96 trillion 2025 budget presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the National Assembly to reject it outright.
Describing the budget as “anti-people,” the PDP warned that its implementation would deepen insecurity, escalate poverty, and shatter the already fragile hopes of Nigerians.
In a fiery statement released on Wednesday, PDP spokesperson Debo Ologunagba dismissed President Tinubu’s address to lawmakers as “campaign rhetoric laced with unsubstantiated economic statistics.”
The president had earlier assured Nigerians that the proposed budget would bring prosperity, consolidate government policies, and address pressing national issues.
“No Hope for Nigerians”
The PDP, however, sharply disagreed, accusing Tinubu of failing to provide meaningful solutions to the country’s challenges.
“The budget made no meaningful provisions for real drivers of the national economy,” Ologunagba declared.
He added that the proposal lacked clear strategies to address critical issues such as insecurity, the ailing economy, and skyrocketing living costs.
“President Tinubu dashed the hopes of millions of suffering Nigerians,” Ologunagba said.
A Budget of “False Promises”
The PDP also took aim at what it described as “false promises” and “conjured performance claims” embedded in the budget speech.
“Tinubu’s budget address sounded more like a campaign rally than a serious national policy,” Ologunagba remarked.
He argued that the budget failed to outline operable steps to:
- Revive moribund industries.
- Shore up food production.
- Stabilize the naira.
- Reduce fuel and electricity costs.
- Alleviate the hardship faced by Nigerians.
Legislative Intervention Urged
The PDP called on the National Assembly to exercise its constitutional powers and amend the budget to prioritize the welfare of Nigerians.
“The National Assembly must activate its legislative powers under Sections 80, 81, and 82 of the 1999 Constitution,” the statement read.
The party stressed the importance of redirecting funds towards sectors that would drive economic growth and improve citizens’ quality of life.
“We urge lawmakers to reject this anti-people budget and make provisions critical to national progress,” Ologunagba insisted.
Tinubu’s Budget: Prosperity or Peril?
President Tinubu, in his address to the National Assembly, had described the budget as a pathway to prosperity.
“If implemented to the letter, this budget will restore and consolidate key government policies while triggering economic growth,” Tinubu stated.
However, the PDP argued that the claims were unfounded and designed to mislead Nigerians.
“Instead of reducing the cost of living, Tinubu’s budget will only tighten the grip of poverty and hopelessness on our people,” Ologunagba warned.
Nigerians Demand Accountability
Reactions to the PDP’s statement have sparked heated debates across the country.
Many Nigerians share the party’s concerns, citing the rising costs of food, fuel, and basic amenities as evidence of government failure.
“How can this budget claim to help us when everything is already too expensive?” asked Lagos-based trader, Bisi Adebayo.
Others, however, believe the budget deserves a chance.
“We need to implement policies first before criticizing them,” argued Abuja economist, Hassan Bello.
