The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has stated that Nigeria’s economy was the largest in Africa and a top destination for foreign investment when the party left office in 2015. According to the PDP, the economic progress made during its tenure has been reversed over the past decade.
Debo Ologunagba, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, made these remarks during an interactive session with journalists on Wednesday. He noted that the Nigerian economy was valued at over $600 billion when the PDP left government in 2015. At that time, the country was also the leading destination for foreign capital investment in Africa. However, Ologunagba claimed that these gains have been lost in the last 10 years.
The PDP spokesman attributed the reversal of Nigeria’s economic and social progress to the poor performance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in government. He stated that many Nigerians are now looking back fondly on the PDP’s tenure, remembering an era of democratic governance and economic development. Ologunagba described the PDP as a party that respects democratic principles, follows rules, and encourages open dialogue and discussion.
The PDP’s national convention is seen as crucial for maintaining democracy in Nigeria, with citizens closely watching the party’s activities to ensure it is well-organized. Ologunagba emphasized that Nigerians, having experienced governance under both the PDP and APC, are now in a position to assess which party has delivered better for the country. This comparison is significant, as it will likely influence the outcome of future elections and the direction of Nigeria’s governance.
The PDP’s claims about Nigeria’s past economic performance are based on data from 2015, when the party left office. At that time, Nigeria’s economy was indeed one of the largest in Africa, driven by a growing services sector and significant investment in infrastructure. However, the country’s economy has faced significant challenges in recent years, including a decline in oil prices, insecurity, and corruption. The PDP’s statement is likely to be seen as an attempt to remind Nigerians of the party’s past achievements and to criticize the APC’s performance in government.
