By Dirisu Yakubu, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said the report by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS), on escalated 33.3 per cent unemployment rate in the country is a direct confirmation claims by the Presidency on job creation are false.

This is as the major opposition party in the country noted that the report by the NBS that no fewer than 21.7 million able-bodied Nigerians have lost their jobs and means of livelihood while many more have become underemployed under the All Progressives Congress, APC-led government shows the level of decadence in the country.

The party’s reaction was contained in a statement signed by Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP’s publicity secretary on Tuesday.

“The rise in unemployment from the alarming 27.1 per cent in Q2, 2020 to 33.3 per cent in Q4 2020, despite the bogus claims of the APC administration, confirms that indeed, there is no hope in sight under the Buhari Presidency and the APC.

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“It is clear that the direct cause of the escalating unemployment is the incompetence as well as the widespread corruption and treasury looting in the Buhari administration, where APC leaders are reported to have looted over N15 trillion, which should have been used to create wealth, develop our country and provide jobs for our citizens

“It is rather distressing that, as shown in the NBS report, that unemployment rate among young and very enterprising Nigerians, within the age of 15 to 34 years, had risen to 42.5 per cent; a revelation that put a lie to claims by the Buhari administration, of mass employment, job opportunities and economic empowerment of our youths.

“It is now obvious that under President Buhari and the APC, the Federal Government created jobs only in their fake statistics while in reality, they are taking no concrete steps to empower our hard-working citizens.

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“More frustrating is that the APC and its administration have promoted a huge racket where Nigerians are deceived to pay for non-existent jobs in ministries, department and agencies at alarming costs, ranging between N2 million to 6 million, depending on the agency.

“The APC administration, in its corruption, is allowing such evil enterprise, while millions of Nigerians are weeping on the streets after being defrauded of their hard-earned money, life-saving and pensions of aged parents by job fraudsters in official circles.

“The only achievement by the APC administration is the impoverishing of Nigerians and turning of our dear nation of hitherto very happy and prosperous people, into the world’s poverty capital.

“Our party charges President Muhammadu Buhari to accept his incompetence, take urgent steps to recover the over N15 trillion allegedly stolen by his party leaders and allow more competent hands to revamp our economy before it is too late,” the statement read.

Vanguard News Nigeria