The economic hardship prevalent in the country has reportedly compelled most Nigerian families to celebrate the Christmas in a very low-key, as opposed to the previous years.
The opposition Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday, alleged that the “harsh policies” of the ruling All Progressive Congress are the major reasons why most homes could not afford to celebrate the Christmas as supposed.
This was contained in a Christmas goodwill message of the factional National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, signed by Obiora Ifoh, the LP’s National Publicity Secretary on Wednesday.
In Abure’s address, he said “It will interest you to know that not many homes in Nigeria can afford to join in today’s celebration of Christmas because of the economic challenges Nigeria is facing today” while he blamed the APC for being responsible for the hardship, he also encouraged Nigerians to use the avenue and show love to their neighbours.
Similarly, the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, South-West zone, Sanya Atofarati, in a statement issued on behalf of the party on Wednesday, acknowledged the plight of the Nigerian citizens and challenged the APC to take proactive steps towards ameliorating the sufferings.
He said, “We are committed to amplifying your voices in our quest for a better Nigeria.
“We acknowledge the challenges many of our brothers and sisters face in the current harsh economic climate. The struggles of the downtrodden are palpable, and we (PDP), as the major opposition party, stand firmly with you. Your resilience inspires us.
“The policies of the ruling All Progressives Congress have, regrettably, been perceived as anti-people, deepening the struggles of everyday Nigerians rather than lifting them. It is imperative that the leaders prioritise the well-being of the citizens they serve,” the statement added.
However, the All Progressive Congress while acknowledging that the country is indeed suffering from economic hardship, claimed that her policies are geared towards bringing lasting stability to the economy. Consequently, the APC assured that Nigerians would have a flamboyant Christmas celebration in 2025.
The National Chairman of the ruling APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, said this on Wednesday through a goodwill message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu.
He said, “I enjoin Nigerians to be patient with the administration of President Bola Tinubu for the bold economic reforms he has embarked upon which have brought discomfort to many. Already, the results of his reforms are already beginning to be seen.
“I assure you that by next year’s Christmas, the economy will have stabilised and become better. The government’s effort in securing the country is yielding results as cases of banditry and kidnapping have significantly reduced,” he added.
