In a strong New Year address, Nigeria's main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has issued a direct call to the Federal Government. The party demands that the year 2026 must become a definitive turning point focused on protecting citizens and improving their welfare.
A Call for Decisive Action on Security and Governance
The message, delivered on 1 January 2026 and signed by the party's National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, paints a sobering picture of the nation's state. The PDP stated that Nigeria is stepping into the new year burdened by profound challenges that directly threaten the livelihoods, safety, and democratic foundations of the country.
The party highlighted that for millions of Nigerians, daily life is now defined by a trio of crises:
- Rampant insecurity
- Severe economic hardship
- Widespread uncertainty about the future
The PDP warned the administration against allowing 2026 to become merely "another chapter of broken promises." Instead, the opposition insists the year must be marked by decisive leadership, accountability, and a clear shift toward governance that centers on the people.
Institutions Must Uphold Democracy Without Fear
Moving beyond just an appeal to the executive, the PDP's statement also pressed key democratic institutions to stand firm. The party specifically called upon:
The Judiciary, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the nation's security agencies to perform their constitutional duties with unwavering integrity. The PDP cautioned these bodies against yielding to external pressure, inducements, or intimidation.
"These institutions must not abdicate, compromise or commodify their sacred duties," the statement read. It further argued that democracy cannot survive in an environment where arbitrariness replaces justice and impunity is allowed to flourish.
PDP Reaffirms Role as Voice of the People
Reasserting its position as the leading opposition force, the PDP pledged its continued solidarity with ordinary Nigerians. The party vowed to persist in its struggle for a more equitable society where public resources and opportunities are distributed fairly, not based on political affiliation or connections to power.
The party assured citizens that it remains committed to speaking truth to power, holding the government accountable, and standing with the people. The ultimate goal, as stated by the PDP, is a system of governance that genuinely reflects the will, welfare, and aspirations of every Nigerian.
The core message from the PDP's New Year address is clear: the Federal Government must act immediately to prioritize the protection of lives and property and recommit to the welfare of its citizens as the guiding principle for all actions in 2026.
