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 economic system, President Tinubu urged Nigerians to rally behind his administration’s insurance policies, because the nation is “racing towards time” to appropriate a long time of neglect.
Tinubu’s broadcast elicited knocks from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; presidential candidate of Labour Get together, 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 Get together, 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 an announcement posted on his X platform, Atiku lamented that hundreds of thousands of Nigerians had been lowered to refugees and beggars, regardless of the nation’s plentiful human and materials sources.
“It’s tragic that in a rustic blessed with immense human and materials sources, hundreds of thousands of our individuals have been lowered to refugees and beggars of their fatherland. Each accountable authorities holds the welfare and safety of its residents as supreme.
‘’However what we’ve got in the present day is an administration that has deserted its individuals. 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 vp mentioned: “At 65, Nigeria stays an enormous transferring painfully slowly on toes of clay, a direct results of a long time of poor management and wasteful governance.”
Nigeria failing underneath APC – Obi
On his half, former Anambra State governor and Labour Get together’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 a number of and impoverished majority of the residents.
In accordance with him, within the final 10 years, the APC-led Federal Authorities has diminished good points recorded by the nation since return to civil democracy in 1999, and rose to Africa’s largest economic system
Obi mentioned: “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 economic 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, said that the image at the moment is bleak, because the nation’s whole debt now stood at about N175 trillion which, he mentioned, is almost 50 per cent of GDP, with none enchancment in productive sectors.
“Nigeria has fallen to the fourth-largest economic 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 tackle as good rhetoric that lacked substance, having failed to offer sensible options to Nigeria’s urgent challenges.
ADC Nationwide Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, mentioned: 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 seem 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 odd Nigerians.
“The typical Nigerian will ask: if the worst is over, why am I nonetheless struggling? If the worst is over, what ought to I, subsequently, count on? As I mentioned, it was an excellent political speech, but it surely guarantees nothing, it says nothing about what is going to truly 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 absolutely 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, based on studies. How does the killing of a handful of terrorists tackle 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 aid in households throughout the nation.
In an announcement 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 individuals.
“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 baby,” Archbishop Okoh mentioned.
CAN acknowledged that Nigeria has recorded notable progress in training, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, and telecommunications since independence.
It, nonetheless, careworn 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 energy to drive the reforms to a degree the place Nigerians will rejoice, and will He shield 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 manipulate 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, mentioned, “At 65, in contrast with Brazil, in contrast with India, in contrast with different growing nations, Nigeria should attempt with the intention 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 mentioned Nigeria’s founding fathers embraced unity and sacrifice, however regretted that in the present day’s political leaders have changed nationwide values with self-interest.
“The crop of leaders we’ve got now are these with entitlement mentality. They really feel they have to be rewarded and sometimes use their positions to amass wealth,” he mentioned.
Nigeria has not moved ahead in actual phrases – MBF
Additionally disagreeing with the President, the Center Belt Discussion board, MBF, mentioned Nigeria has not moved ahead in actual phrases.
The discussion board famous that the devaluation of the naira has eroded no matter profit staff had been to get from wage increment, including that the elevated allocation to states and native governments is just not making a lot influence 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 completed all these issues he mentioned he has completed, however while you take a look at the influence, if in the present day 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 staff had been receiving half or a 3rd of that cash, they had been doing higher. The alternate fee, I imply our economic system, is predicated on {dollars}, and it’s such that the devaluation eats up the entire cash.
“So we’ve got not moved ahead in actual phrases. What I’ll advise actually is, sure you have got began the processes which might, if effectively managed, take us to the promised land however they need to handle it effectively, so the anticipated end result can be realised prior to later.”
No trigger for celebration – INC
Reacting to President Tinubu’’s speech, President of Ijaw Nationwide Congress, INC, worldwide, Prof Benjamin Okaba, mentioned: “There is no such thing as a 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 inner colonialism, calculated marginalisation, and the systemic expropriation of our wealth and rights.
“For the Ijaw nation, the Nigerian mission has been a narrative of damaged guarantees and brazen injustice. Whereas our land and waters have produced the oil and fuel which have fuelled the nation’s economic system for many years, we’ve got been rewarded with nothing however excessive poverty, environmental devastation, and political suppression. The much-celebrated unity of Nigeria stays a fable, constructed upon the inspiration 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 world residents of conscience, to be aware of the plight of Ijaw individuals.”
You may’t rule Nigeria by propaganda, ex-minister tells Tinubu
Equally, former Minister of Schooling and Well being, Professor Ihechukwu Azubuike, mentioned the President “can’t run Nigeria by propaganda”.
Professor Madubuike, who spoke completely with Vanguard in Abia State, mentioned: “We can’t run authorities by propaganda. We now have to face the fact and the ultimate evaluation of how effectively we’ve got completed resides within the individuals – how the persons are faring.
“When he says we’ve got turned the nook, I don’t agree we’ve got 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 really like consuming 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 mentioned 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
Nevertheless, Nationwide Publicity Secretary of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Mr. Jare Ajayi, mentioned President Tinubu’s speech raised hope that Nigeria is on the trail to overcoming basic challenges besetting the nation.
Ajayi mentioned this optimism may very well be rooted, at first, within the admission by Mr President of the perceived shortcomings and the outlining of steps being taken to sort out them.
“As an illustration, the president admitted that Nigeria continues to be missing in electrical energy, trendy 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 despite reeling out the achievements of his administration, the president recognized areas that had been missing, areas the place extra works nonetheless needed to be completed, together with the roles residents had been additionally to play which, he mentioned, had been indications that he was ready to actualise the imaginative and prescient of “our founding fathers for a affluent and united Nigeria.”
He mentioned that there was an enormous 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, rapid 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 tackle conveyed a way of hope, suggesting that some points of the nation’s issues are pivoting in a optimistic course.
“What’s now wanted is for the presidency and authorities in any respect ranges to reveal larger political will and dedication in translating these good points into tangible advantages. It’s important that odd Nigerians really feel the influence of the optimistic statistics.”
Tinubu has reset economic 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 economic system and chart
ed a brand new course for stability, progress and nationwide prosperity.
In an announcement 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 accordance with the APC, the Tinubu administration has reversed a long time of financial missteps by introducing daring reforms, notably the elimination of gasoline subsidy and unification of the a number of overseas alternate programs.
Whereas these insurance policies sparked preliminary discomfort amongst residents, the social gathering mentioned they’ve since positioned Nigeria on “strong macroeconomic foundations” with encouraging outcomes.
“As Mr President has said, the economic 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 document 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 powerful however essential – Soludo
Backing President Tinubu. Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State mentioned Tinubu’s reforms had been a essential medication for an economic system that had lengthy been distorted and papered over.
Talking in Awka through the sixty fifth Independence Day celebration, Soludo mentioned: ‘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 certain to have some disruptive results, together with some unanticipated pains and hardships. Nevertheless, they’re a essential medication for an economic 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 highway to renewal requires sacrifice.”
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