Opposition Parties Slam President Tinubu Over Viral Video of Long Queues at Bourdillon; Accuse APC of Weaponizing Poverty
Nigeria’s opposition parties, including the Labour Party (LP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and others, have launched scathing attacks on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over the country’s worsening poverty levels, following the viral circulation of a video showing long lines of Nigerians queuing for foodstuffs at President Bola Tinubu’s Bourdillon residence in Lagos on Christmas Eve.
The video, which quickly garnered widespread attention, depicted a mammoth crowd gathered on Bourdillon Road in Ikoyi, Lagos, seeking food handouts from the President. The footage, shared by Senator Ali Ndume, highlighted the economic struggles faced by millions of Nigerians, as the holiday season starkly revealed the depth of poverty and hardship across the country.
Opposition Reacts: Calls for Accountability
Senator Ndume, a member of the ruling APC, described the video as a sobering reflection of the state of poverty in the nation. He remarked, “Queues for presidential handouts at Bourdillon on Christmas Eve highlight a sobering reality. Poverty knows no tribe, religion, politics, or region. It is a universal challenge that demands collective action and sustainable solutions.”
However, the opposition parties were quick to seize on the incident, with the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, condemning the ruling party for exacerbating poverty in Nigeria. “It’s sad that the APC is turning more Nigerians into beggars by the day. The statistics are out there for everyone to see,” he stated, pointing out that the poverty rate in Nigeria had become unbearable for many citizens.
Ifoh further criticized the APC government for its inability to address the increasing cost of living, citing the high price of food items, including a bag of rice that now costs over N100,000. “There is hunger in the land,” he said, emphasizing the widespread discontent with the ruling government’s economic policies.
Peter Obi: A Stark Contrast to Nigeria’s Potential
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, also joined the criticism, expressing concern over the growing poverty under President Tinubu’s administration. Speaking through his media aide, Obi said, “It’s heartbreaking to see a nation with such potential struggling to provide for its people. The lack of effective governance is evident in the government’s failure to provide basic necessities and opportunities for its citizens.”
Obi’s remarks highlighted the deepening divide between Nigeria’s vast potential and the harsh realities faced by ordinary citizens under the current administration.
PDP’s Timothy Osadolor: A Warning to the Political Elite
The Deputy National Youth Leader of the PDP, Timothy Osadolor, accused President Tinubu’s administration of “weaponizing poverty” to suppress the masses. “Nigerians need to beg with a pleading hand to survive,” Osadolor said, expressing frustration at the government’s inability to address the mounting hunger and unemployment in the country.
Osadolor warned that the situation could lead to greater social unrest. “A time may come when people will stop begging for food and will go after the political elites, especially members of the APC, who have caused the hardship,” he cautioned.
Young People’s Party: Urgent Review Needed
Egbeola Martins, National Publicity Secretary of the Young People’s Party, added his voice to the condemnation, saying, “Things have never been this bad.” Martins called for an urgent review of the APC government’s economic policies, particularly the subsidy removal, which he argued had exasperated the suffering of Nigerians.
APC Defends Tinubu’s Actions
In response to the backlash, the APC dismissed the opposition’s criticisms, arguing that the President’s charitable actions were nothing new. Bala Ibrahim, the APC National Publicity Director, defended Tinubu’s longstanding reputation for generosity, stating, “Tinubu has been doing this for ages. This is not the first time he is doing it. But now that he is the President, it has become extremely conspicuous.”
Ibrahim pointed out that the President had been helping people in need long before his ascension to office and urged critics to understand that Tinubu’s actions were motivated by a desire to help others. He also accused the opposition of trying to mischaracterize Tinubu’s intentions to “incite Nigerians against the President.”
The Bigger Picture: A Nation in Crisis
As Nigeria grapples with a spiraling economic crisis, the sight of long queues at Bourdillon has become a symbol of the nation’s distress. The ruling government’s inability to alleviate widespread poverty and hunger has led to intense public scrutiny. With the international community highlighting Nigeria’s soaring poverty rate, critics continue to call for more effective governance and policies that prioritize the welfare of the people, rather than fostering dependence on handouts.
The questions remain: Will the APC be able to address the economic crisis, or will the frustration of the masses boil over, as opposition parties continue to push for change?