Sam Philip
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State, has condemned All Progressives Congress-administration for rise in inflation ratio which has made survival difficult for the citizenry in the country.
Publicity Secretary of the party in Ondo state, Leye Igbabo, stated this in Akure, the state capital, during his visit to the NUJ Press Centre.
He stated that Nigerians could not afford basic commodities as a result of high rate of inflation.
Blaming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration for its failure to perform and put smiles on the faces of the people, the PDP spokesman said most politicians in the country have been cajoled to join the ruling party.
He stressed that there is need to put the ruling party on its toes in order to perform and deliver the dividends of democracy as expected.
Igbabo, who expressed dissatisfaction over the state of Nigerians, said: “I am disappointed in the administration of the ruling party. Inflation is at an all-time high.
“Prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed, and people can no longer afford to feed their families,”
The PDP image-maker, however, called on the media to endeavour to put the government on its toes, noting that the media remains the only institution that has not been compromised in the country.
He also urged the media professionals to make government accountable at all times and to deliver the dividends of democracy to the Nigerian people.
Commending journalists for their resilience and standing by the truth, Igbabo urged them to continue exposing corruption and maladministration .
“As the fourth estate of the realm, you are now the last hope of the common man. The other three arms of government have failed. Continue to perform your constitutional roles as provided in the Constitution to help deepen our democracy,” Igbabo said.
Speaking on the security situation in the Ondo State, the PDP chieftain condemned in strong terms the rising insecurity situation in the state, calling on the government to be proactive and responsive to its primary duty of protecting lives and property.
He said the ruling party has failed in its constitutional mandate, by allowing criminal elements to compromise the security of the state.
Igbabo explained that he visited the Press Centre to familiarize his party with media stakeholders in the state, update them on PDP’s activities, and seek the support of media practitioners in deepening democracy, especially in Ondo State.
In his response, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, Comrade Leke Adegbite advocated enactment of a law criminalizing defection or cross-carpeting by politicians.
He noted that such a law would give room for development rather than looking for comfort in all parties in power and politics of favouritism
Adegbite said: “Politicians switch parties at will because there is no law to checkmate such actions. They have impoverished the people, which is why you see voters selling their votes to the highest bidder during elections,”
He, however, assured that the media would remain uncompromised in the discharge of its duties.