By Dayo Johnson, Clifford Ndujihe, Sam Oyadongha, Omeiza Ajayi, John Alechenu, Peter Duru, Rotimi Ojomoyela, Luminous Jannamike & Steve Oko
LAGOS — Opposition leaders and a few non secular leaders yesterday took on President Bola Tinubu over his sixty fifth independence anniversary speech that underneath his watch, the nation has turned the nook and the worst is over.
Justifying his laborious reforms and highlighting achievements in varied sectors of the financial system, President Tinubu urged Nigerians to rally behind his administration’s insurance policies, because the nation is “racing in opposition to time” to appropriate many years of neglect.
Tinubu’s broadcast elicited knocks from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; presidential candidate of Labour Social gathering, LP, in 2023 elections, Mr Peter Obi; and the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
Except for opposition leaders, such teams as Christian Affiliation of Nigeria, CAN; Center-Belt Discussion board, MBF; Afenifere; and Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba additionally picked holes within the speech.
Tinubu unmoved, uncaring amid starvation, bandit assaults – Atiku
Reacting to the speech yesterday, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Social gathering, PDP, accused President Tinubu’s administration of failing to deal with the worsening starvation and insecurity in Nigeria, describing the federal government as “unmoved and uncaring.”
In a press release posted on his X platform, Atiku lamented that hundreds of thousands of Nigerians had been decreased to refugees and beggars, regardless of the nation’s ample human and materials assets.
“It’s tragic that in a rustic blessed with immense human and materials assets, hundreds of thousands of our folks have been decreased to refugees and beggars of their fatherland. Each accountable authorities holds the welfare and safety of its residents as supreme.
‘’However what now we have right now is an administration that has deserted its folks. Starvation is killing Nigerians, bandits are massacring communities, but President Tinubu and his cupboard stand by, unmoved and uncaring.”
Reflecting on Nigeria’s present state, the previous vice chairman stated: “At 65, Nigeria stays an enormous transferring painfully slowly on ft of clay, a direct results of many years of poor management and wasteful governance.”
Nigeria failing underneath APC – Obi
On his half, former Anambra State governor and Labour Social gathering’s presidential candidate in 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, lamented that successive management failures have annoyed the imaginative and prescient of the nation’s founding fathers.
He expressed remorse that this imaginative and prescient was betrayed by management that enriched just a few and impoverished majority of the residents.
In response to him, within the final 10 years, the APC-led Federal Authorities has diminished features recorded by the nation since return to civil democracy in 1999, and rose to Africa’s largest financial system
Obi stated: “By the top of 2007, our whole debt was about N2.5 trillion, solely 10 per cent of GDP, after President Obasanjo’s authorities secured debt forgiveness of over $30 billion. By 2014, Nigeria had grow to be Africa’s largest financial system and was primed to attain middle-income standing.
“In 2015, for the primary time, a ruling social gathering was defeated in a presidential election, marking one other milestone for our democracy.”
He, nonetheless, acknowledged that the image at the moment is bleak, because the nation’s whole debt now stood at about N175 trillion which, he stated, is almost 50 per cent of GDP, with none enchancment in productive sectors.
“Nigeria has fallen to the fourth-largest financial system in Africa, behind South Africa, Egypt, and Algeria. Our democracy is now described as ‘undemocratic,’” Obi additionally took a swipe on the Tinubu-led administration’s new taxes imposed on Nigerians, the extravagance of the nation’s leaders, the federal government’s reckless borrowings and rising insecurity within the nation.
ADC to Tinubu: If the worst is over, why are Nigerians nonetheless dying?
On its half, the ADC described President Tinubu’s sixty fifth Independence Anniversary deal with as sensible rhetoric that lacked substance, having failed to offer sensible options to Nigeria’s urgent challenges.
ADC Nationwide Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated: Tinubu’s declaration that ‘the worst is over’ supplied no readability on what Nigerians ought to count on going ahead.
“The query we should always ask is: when the President says the worst is over, what does that actually imply? What does success appear like? What ought to we count on now that the President has declared the worst is behind us? As a result of when the President makes such a declare, he’s suggesting that our struggling has been worthwhile.”
He famous that the President’s optimism contrasts sharply with the every day actuality of hardship and insecurity nonetheless confronted by unusual Nigerians.
“The common Nigerian will ask: if the worst is over, why am I nonetheless struggling? If the worst is over, what ought to I, due to this fact, count on? As I stated, it was an excellent political speech, however it guarantees nothing, it says nothing about what is going to really have an effect on the lives of Nigerians,” he added.
On safety, the ADC spokesman criticised Tinubu’s emphasis on the killing of some terrorist leaders as proof of progress, saying it mirrored a shallow understanding of the magnitude of the disaster.
“To cut back the complexity of insecurity in Nigeria to the elimination of some terrorist leaders means that the President doesn’t totally perceive the magnitude of the challenges we face.
“Simply this week, a colleague of ours was murdered within the Federal Capital Territory when 14 armed robbers invaded the premises, in keeping with reviews. How does the killing of a handful of terrorists deal with that?” Abdullahi queried.
We’re hungry for meals not statistics – CAN
The Christian Affiliation of Nigeria, CAN, in its response, warned that hundreds of thousands of residents are nonetheless grappling with starvation, insecurity, and joblessness, regardless of ongoing reforms, stressing that true progress should transcend financial statistics to tangible reduction in households throughout the nation.
In a press release by the President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the apex Christian physique congratulated the nation on its milestone however urged leaders to prioritise insurance policies that ship meals safety, safety of lives, and alternatives for younger folks.
“True progress have to be measured not solely by statistics however by the meals on each desk, the safety of each neighborhood, and the alternatives obtainable to each youngster,” Archbishop Okoh stated.
CAN acknowledged that Nigeria has recorded notable progress in schooling, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, and telecommunications since independence.
It, nonetheless, pressured that the ‘unfinished’ enterprise of nation-building is being undermined by rising prices of dwelling, meals insecurity, unemployment, and inflation.
“We pray that God will grant our leaders the knowledge, braveness, and power to drive the reforms to some extent the place Nigerians will rejoice, and will He defend them from sycophants who don’t imply effectively for our nation,” Archbishop Okoh added.
On safety, CAN lamented that terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal conflicts had inflicted deep ache on residents and displaced households throughout the nation.
Nigeria’s future in danger underneath leaders with entitlement mentality — Anglican Primate
To the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, Nigeria’s future is in danger if its leaders continued to control with what he described as ‘entitlement mentality’ and disrespect for nationwide values.
Dr Ndukuba, who spoke yesterday on the World Mission Congress 2025, in Abuja, stated, “At 65, in contrast with Brazil, in contrast with India, in contrast with different creating nations, Nigeria should try with a view to stand at par. We now have all it takes; the scientists, the engineers, and but we’re nonetheless crawling, nonetheless ready for others to launch our satellites,” the Anglican Primate lamented.
He stated Nigeria’s founding fathers embraced unity and sacrifice, however regretted that right now’s political leaders have changed nationwide values with self-interest.
“The crop of leaders now we have now are these with entitlement mentality. They really feel they have to be rewarded and sometimes use their positions to amass wealth,” he stated.
Nigeria has not moved ahead in actual phrases – MBF
Additionally disagreeing with the President, the Center Belt Discussion board, MBF, stated Nigeria has not moved ahead in actual phrases.
The discussion board famous that the devaluation of the naira has eroded no matter profit employees have been to get from wage increment, including that the elevated allocation to states and native governments just isn’t making a lot impression due to the autumn within the worth of the naira.
MBF Nationwide President, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, urged the President to spice up the worth of the naira to the Greenback to under N1,000 for issues to start out falling into place.
His phrases: “The reality in regards to the Presidential message is that the President laid claims to points economists can dispute. Sure, he has performed all these issues he stated he has performed, however while you have a look at the impression, if right now you say the governors are getting extra money, they’re getting extra money however what’s the worth of the cash?
“Salaries have been elevated however what’s the worth of the wage as a result of when employees have been receiving half or a 3rd of that cash, they have been doing higher. The alternate price, I imply our financial system, is predicated on {dollars}, and it’s such that the devaluation eats up the entire cash.
“So now we have not moved ahead in actual phrases. What I’ll advise actually is, sure you’ve began the processes which might, if effectively managed, take us to the promised land however they need to handle it effectively, so the anticipated outcome could be realised earlier than later.”
No trigger for celebration – INC
Reacting to President Tinubu’’s speech, President of Ijaw Nationwide Congress, INC, worldwide, Prof Benjamin Okaba, stated: “There isn’t any severe trigger for any grandiose celebrations, past appreciating God and windfall for getting us collectively as one single political entity.
“As a substitute, this anniversary serves as a solemn and painful reminder of 65 years of inside colonialism, calculated marginalisation, and the systemic expropriation of our wealth and rights.
“For the Ijaw nation, the Nigerian challenge has been a narrative of damaged guarantees and brazen injustice. Whereas our land and waters have produced the oil and gasoline which have fuelled the nation’s financial system for many years, now we have been rewarded with nothing however excessive poverty, environmental devastation, and political suppression. The much-celebrated unity of Nigeria stays a fantasy, constructed upon the muse of our oppression.
“Subsequently, on this sixty fifth anniversary, we hereby name upon the worldwide neighborhood, together with the United Nations, the African Union, and all international residents of conscience, to pay attention to the plight of Ijaw folks.”
You’ll be able to’t rule Nigeria by propaganda, ex-minister tells Tinubu
Equally, former Minister of Schooling and Well being, Professor Ihechukwu Azubuike, stated the President “can’t run Nigeria by propaganda”.
Professor Madubuike, who spoke solely with Vanguard in Abia State, stated: “We can’t run a great authorities by propaganda. We now have to face the fact and the ultimate evaluation of how effectively now we have performed resides within the folks – how the persons are faring.
“When he says now we have turned the nook, I don’t agree now we have turned the nook. We now have not even reached the nook. I used to be available in the market yesterday to purchase a loaf of bread and the least I might purchase was N1,400. A loaf of bread I used to purchase for N50 a few years in the past.
‘’I like ingesting stout. I went to purchase stout and it’s N1,200 a can. I used to purchase it for N350. That’s the actual GDP, and never the one that’s primarily based on re-basing.”
The previous minister, who stated he was a youth when Nigeria gained independence, regretted that each one the excessive hopes and expectations of Nigerians had been dashed by politicians.
Tinubu’s promise re-assuring— Afenifere
Nonetheless, Nationwide Publicity Secretary of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Mr. Jare Ajayi, stated President Tinubu’s speech raised hope that Nigeria is on the trail to overcoming elementary challenges besetting the nation.
Ajayi stated this optimism may very well be rooted, initially, within the admission by Mr President of the perceived shortcomings and the outlining of steps being taken to deal with them.
“As an illustration, the president admitted that Nigeria continues to be missing in electrical energy, fashionable ports, world-class roads, social welfare and safety. Though he blamed under-investment and mismanagement for these, he pledged that his administration will work to make sure a affluent and united Nigeria soonest.”
Ajayi famous that regardless of reeling out the achievements of his administration, the president recognized areas that have been missing, areas the place extra works nonetheless needed to be performed, together with the roles residents have been additionally to play which, he stated, have been indications that he was ready to actualise the imaginative and prescient of “our founding fathers for a affluent and united Nigeria.”
He stated that there was a giant problem within the President’s speech that should not be glossed over, saying, “the president urged Nigerians to be extra productive, patronise made-in-Nigeria items, pay taxes and cut back dependence on imports.
It’s a promising message — Robinson
For Dr. Ken Robinson, speedy previous Nationwide Publicity Secretary of the Pan-Niger Delta Elders Discussion board, PANDEF and Convener, Involved Residents of Rivers State: “President Tinubu delivered a promising message in his Independence Day speech to the Nigeria.
‘’His deal with conveyed a way of hope, suggesting that some features of the nation’s issues are pivoting in a constructive course.
“What’s now wanted is for the presidency and authorities in any respect ranges to show larger political will and dedication in translating these features into tangible advantages. It’s important that unusual Nigerians really feel the impression of the constructive statistics.”
Tinubu has reset financial system, charted new course – APC
The ruling APC, in the identical vein, hailed President Tinubu’s financial reforms, declaring that the administration had efficiently “reset” Nigeria’s financial system and chart
ed a brand new course for stability, progress and nationwide prosperity.
In a press release issued by its Nationwide Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the social gathering congratulated Nigerians for his or her resilience, patriotism and religion within the nation, regardless of previous challenges.
In response to the APC, the Tinubu administration has reversed many years of financial missteps by introducing daring reforms, notably the elimination of gas subsidy and unification of the a number of international alternate techniques.
Whereas these insurance policies sparked preliminary discomfort amongst residents, the social gathering stated they’ve since positioned Nigeria on “stable macroeconomic foundations” with encouraging outcomes.
“As Mr President has acknowledged, the financial system has turned the nook. Our nation has grow to be a web exporter, posting constant commerce surpluses within the final 5 quarters. Non-oil income has surged, oil manufacturing has reached report ranges, and GDP grew by 4.28 p.c in Q2 2025, the best in 4 years, exceeding IMF’s 3.5 p.c forecast,” the assertion learn.
Tinubu’s reforms robust however crucial – Soludo
Backing President Tinubu. Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State stated Tinubu’s reforms have been a crucial drugs for an financial system that had lengthy been distorted and papered over.
Talking in Awka in the course of the sixty fifth Independence Day celebration, Soludo stated: ‘I commend President Tinubu’s brave nationwide reforms, together with the elimination of subsidies, harmonisation of alternate charges, redesign of fiscal and tax insurance policies, in addition to different structural reforms.
“These reforms, clearly, within the brief time period, are sure to have some disruptive results, together with some unanticipated pains and hardships. Nonetheless, they’re a crucial drugs for an financial system lengthy distorted and papered over.
“That is the time we should rebuild our nation on a firmer basis, and I urge Nigerians to face agency, because the street to renewal requires sacrifice.”
The submit Nigeria @ 65: Opposition leaders, others take Tinubu to job appeared first on Vanguard Information.
