..As Atiku, Ganduje, Nwifuru felicitate citizens on celebration
IBRAHIM QUADRI , JACOB OGODO with agency reports
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged President Bola Tinubu not to taint the new year with an address that will not proffer immediate and concrete steps to reduce the price of fuel and address widespread hunger.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba in a statement noted that there should be clear-cut measures to guarantee security of lives and property in the country.
According to Ologunagba, “This position by the PDP is predicated on the fact that previous addresses by Mr. President in the last 18 months dwelt only on hopeless rhetoric, unsubstantiated statistics, false promises, conjured performance claims and validation of flawed elections without concrete mechanisms to address insecurity, resuscitate the economy, create jobs, ensure credible elections and guarantee better living standard for Nigerians.
“The PDP maintains that President Tinubu must speak to the issues of unbridled corruption, deceit, budget padding, reckless and wasteful spending directed to fund luxury appetite of APC @OfficialAPCNg leaders, insensitivity to the pains of citizens and total disregard to the obligation of government which has made life unbearable for Nigerians under his watch.
“The Party also challenges President Tinubu to use the address to give account of the billions of Naira officially reported to have accrued from the removal of subsidy on petroleum products.
“Furthermore, Mr. President should come clean on his public commitment to fight corruption by ordering an investigation and recovery of the over N25 trillion reportedly stolen by APC leaders and officials in government who have turned government agencies to Automated Teller Machines (ATM) to siphon funds for their benefit while other Nigerians wallow in abject poverty, hunger and starvation.”
Furthermore, the party stated, “Equally worrisome is the failure of the APC government to revisit and address the reported cases of alleged State-backed killings in various parts of the country, particularly the 2020 EndSars killings and inhuman denial of the massacre of promising Nigerian youths in that sad and repulsive incident.”
Meanwhile, a former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar said the dawn of 2025 presents an invaluable opportunity to reshape and redefine the national dialogue for the citizenry.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Presidential candidate in 2023, extended his heartfelt congratulations to the people of Nigeria for witnessing the arrival of the New Year, 2025.
He prayed for the revitalization of the national economy so that Nigerians may breathe freely and be liberated from the suffocating grip of economic hardship.
In a statement personally signed by him, Atiku declared that this New Year ushers in a momentous era of heightened public awareness, a time when every Nigerian must stand vigilant, closely observing the actions and decisions of their political leaders.
He stressed that the dawn of 2025 presents an invaluable opportunity to reshape and redefine the national dialogue, urging citizens to actively participate in safeguarding the principles of democracy.
Atiku, with a deep sense of purpose, welcomes the nation into 2025, reminding all Nigerians that this New Year is not merely a passage of time but a new chapter brimming with possibilities.
He called for all citizens to remain resolute in ensuring that political leaders, at every level of government, are held accountable and that no one wields unchecked power that could lead to the erosion of liberties and further exploitation of public office.
Reflecting on the challenges of the previous year, Atiku observed that 2024 provided a sobering glimpse into the pressing need for governmental accountability.
He expressed gratitude to the Almighty for granting Nigerians the grace to witness another year despite the arduous trials faced in the past.
“The trials of the past year have only served to fortify our faith,” he says, “Our unshakable belief in divine protection has been our guiding light, and it is this same spirit of unwavering faith that will continue to propel us forward in the coming year.”
Atiku implored all Nigerians to nurture the shared hopes of collective prosperity, reminding them that the vigilance of the citizenry is paramount in holding the government accountable for its actions. “We must ensure that the power entrusted to those in leadership is never abused and that the claws of an overreaching government are firmly restrained,” he asserted.
Echoing the timeless wisdom that “eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,” Atiku urged Nigerians to stand ever watchful in this New Year, guarding against any encroachment on the public good and the fundamental rights of the people.
He added, “that the New Year will bring a fresh dawn, sweeping away the many years of national hardships that have hindered the country’s growth.
He prayed for a revitalization of the national economy so that Nigerians may breathe freely once more, liberated from the suffocating grip of economic hardship.
“This year, Atiku emphasizes, is one in which Nigerians must unite in the pursuit of good governance, standing resolute against any efforts by the ruling elite to divide the nation along religious and ethnic lines.
“As we celebrate the divine favor that allows us to witness the beginning of this New Year, let us not forget our fellow countrymen who were not so fortunate, those whose lives were claimed by the relentless storms of daily hardships that have long plagued Nigeria.”
In his message, Ebonyi State governor, Rt Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru says his administration will prioritize policies and programmes that will promote inclusive development and foster economic opportunities for the benefit of the people.
In his New Year Message to the people of the State, Governor Nwifuru attributed the successes so far recorded by his administration to the support and prayers of the citizens.
“As we step into the New Year 2025 today, I extend my warmest greetings to every citizen and resident of our great state.
“This is a time of reflection and renewal, an opportunity to chart a new course for personal growth and collective progress in line with the People’s Charter of Needs Agenda.
“In 2024, we, through your support, prayers and encouragement, annexed new grounds, and deliberately took a quantum leap in all spheres of governance.”
While recounting various interventions of his government in the just concluded year he noted that over 25, 000 of the citizens have been placed on a sound economic pedestal for accelerated growth and prosperity.
According to the State Chief Executive, ” though the year 2024 brought challenges, it also showcased the resilience, unity, and innovation of our people”
He also said his administration has made significant strides in improving infrastructure, healthcare, education, and security last year, assuring that this year marks a new dawn for the state’s political history and landscape and will bring to full actualisation, the letters and spirit of his Manifesto.
“I have declared this new year as one that will be marked by unprecedented development, growth and massive transformation of all parts of the state” the Governor assured.
In the meantime, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, on Tuesday said Nigerians will have cause to smile again in 2025.
The former governor of Kano state also assured Nigerians that there are clear signs of better days ahead in the New Year.
Ganduje disclosed this in a New Year message issued in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Enlightenment, Chief Oliver Okpala.
According to him, the visionary reforms of President Bola Tinubu have started yielding positive results, which will become more evident in the New Year.
He said, “Let me assure Nigerians that by next year’s Christmas, the economy will have fully stabilised and improved. This season should be one of hope for a better life and the opportunity of a new era, as exemplified by the founding fathers of our country, such as Dr Herbert Macaulay, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Peter Enahoro, Ahmadu Bello, amongst others.
“These individuals were incurable optimists about the future of the nation. It was not because there were no daunting challenges or obstacles during their time, but because they had the can-do spirit and belief that all hurdles were surmountable.
This is the same spirit that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu possesses and that has kept him moving forward.
“It is this same energy that we must all embrace as we approach the New Year so that we can partake in the impending harvest in 2025. To maximise the benefits of the New Year, I implore every Nigerian to embrace a life of love, unity, and positive energy.”
On its part, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged President Bola Tinubu not to taint the new year with an address that will not proffer immediate and concrete steps to reduce the price of fuel and address widespread hunger.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba in a statement noted that there should be clear-cut measures to guarantee security of lives and property in the country.
According to Ologunagba, “This position by the PDP is predicated on the fact that previous addresses by Mr. President in the last 18 months dwelt only on hopeless rhetoric, unsubstantiated statistics, false promises, conjured performance claims and validation of flawed elections without concrete mechanisms to address insecurity, resuscitate the economy, create jobs, ensure credible elections and guarantee better living standard for Nigerians.”
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