The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to place greater emphasis on measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians, particularly in the areas of living costs, employment, security and household income.
The party made the call in its reaction to the President’s 66th Independence Day address, in which Tinubu said Nigeria had moved from an “age of reform” into an “age of prosperity” following more than three years of economic reforms.
In a statement signed by the Lagos State PDP Publicity Secretary, Prince Christopher Odianarewo, the party said Nigerians needed to see the impact of government policies in their households and communities.
The PDP acknowledged that the President spoke about economic reforms, growth and future prosperity but questioned the timelines and measurable targets for translating those policies into improved living conditions.
According to the party, issues such as food prices, transportation costs, employment, access to healthcare and education remain important indicators by which Nigerians will assess the impact of government policies.
The World Bank, in its latest assessment, said Nigeria’s real GDP grew by 4.2 per cent in the first half of 2026, but noted that the pace of growth remained insufficient to generate enough productive jobs and materially reduce poverty.
It estimated that 69.6 per cent of Nigerians lived below the lower-middle-income poverty line in 2025, while 50.8 per cent were living in extreme poverty.
The Lagos PDP said the figures underscored the need for the government to complement macroeconomic improvements with policies capable of translating growth into higher household incomes and broader economic opportunities.
“Prosperity cannot remain a speech. It must become measurable improvement in the lives of citizens,” the party said.
It called for clearer timelines and targets on the administration’s plans to reduce the cost of living, create jobs, improve infrastructure, strengthen agriculture and expand industrial production.
The party also questioned the continued reference to the economic challenges inherited by the administration, arguing that after more than three years in office, Nigerians would increasingly assess the government on the outcomes of its own policies.
On security, the PDP said the government needed to provide Nigerians with greater assurance on measures to address terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, communal violence and other threats affecting lives and economic activities.
It noted that safe communities were essential to achieving the prosperity outlined by the President, particularly for farmers, businesses and other productive sectors.
The party also cited the recent deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State as an example of the importance of accountability and effective security institutions.
The Federal Government has constituted an independent committee to investigate the incident and suspended the NSCDC Niger State Commandant and 20 other officers pending the outcome of the investigation.
The PDP said the administration’s economic objectives should therefore be assessed alongside progress in security, employment, food affordability, infrastructure and public institutions.
It further said President Tinubu’s declaration that Nigeria had “corrected its course” and that the country’s foundations were strong should be measured against available economic and social indicators.
The party said Nigerians should be able to assess government performance based on what was inherited, what was promised, what had been implemented and the results citizens could observe.
“As the 2027 general elections approach, Nigerians will have the constitutional opportunity to assess the record of the administration, compare competing programmes and determine, through their votes, the direction they want the country to take,” the statement said.
The PDP urged the government to provide transparent evidence of the impact of its policies and ensure that economic growth translates into improved living standards for Nigerians.
The statement was signed by Prince Dr Christopher Odianarewo, Dis.FCILMMD, MNIIA, Publicity Secretary, Lagos State PDP.
