…Mocks Ruling Party Over Alleged Coastal Road Project Fraud
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lamented that it left power in 2015 with Nigeria’s economy valued over $600 billion, ranking as Africa’s number one economy and the top destination for foreign investments.
The party stated this on Wednesday in Abuja during an interactive session with journalists.
According to the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, all the economic and social gains achieved under the PDP have been “rolled back” since the All Progressives Congress (APC) assumed power ten years ago.
“We had an economy that was number one in Africa, and by the time the PDP left government in 2015, we had over a $600 billion economy.
“Nigeria was then the number one destination for foreign capital investment, and all of that has been rolled back in the last 10 years or so.
“With the misadventure of the APC in government, Nigerians are excited by the PDP because they remember with nostalgia those good old days, knowing that this is a party that is governed by rules and is democratic. They allow for conversation and discussion,” he said.
Ologunagba said the overwhelming public interest in the PDP’s forthcoming 2025 National Convention reflects Nigerians’ renewed hope in the party as the only vehicle to restore democracy and economic stability.
“The national convention of the PDP is critical to the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria, and that explains the enthusiasm, the interest that Nigerians across board have in our party.
“Nigerians are eager to know what we’re doing and to ensure we put ourselves together as a party, because that is the only way we can guarantee the sustenance of democracy,” he said.
The PDP spokesman noted that Nigerians have experienced both sides of governance and can now judge which party has served them better.
“Since 1999, Nigerians can make a determination about where to stay.
“We had 16 years of unbroken governance by the PDP — what I always refer to, and many Nigerians believe, was the glorious era of development and hope in this country.
“Before 1999, it was difficult for Nigeria to gain global recognition. We were like a parasite. But when the PDP came on board, it set the country back on the path of development.
“We paid off our debts. We had double-digit GDP growth. We contained inflation. We had policies that invested in people and human capital development,” Ologunagba added.
He described the PDP as a platform that values debate, tolerance, and inclusiveness — the hallmarks of democracy.
“We allow for questions, and within our processes, we recognise that we’re different people united as one country. There will be different ideas and ideologies, but we can always work together.
“That is the essence of democracy — the idea that people have different views. You can disagree, but you are not disagreeable,” he said.
On preparations for the 2025 National Convention, Ologunagba said it will produce new national officers to lead the party into the 2027 general elections, emphasising that accountability and dialogue will remain the PDP’s core principles.
“We can do a comparative analysis between the PDP and the APC.
“What the PDP believes — and practices — is that we’re truly a people’s democratic party.
“The basis of democracy is accountability and questions. Leaders must come back to the people,” he stated.
Reacting to the ongoing coastal highway project and comments by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, Ologunagba dismissed the project as fraudulent and lacking transparency.
“We have said before that it was a scam from the bidding process. It fits into the description of a special purpose vehicle. The contractor that got the contract supposedly won that bidding, but there was no competitive process.
“There have been comparative analyses of similar road constructions across Africa, especially regarding pricing,” he alleged.
He accused the APC-led government of operating without transparency or accountability, particularly regarding subsidy savings and national borrowing.
“This is a government that does not care about the Nigerian people. They don’t want transparency — it’s their character.
“They talk about savings from subsidy removal, but we don’t even know how much it is. We’re still borrowing. And if you ask questions, someone will tell you, ‘you are too small’. That’s who they are.
“That’s why there would be budgets where you don’t know the performance level, and you can’t ask questions. That’s why they want to silence everybody,” Ologunagba said.
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