The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) led the Federal Government of lying to Nigerians about employment and job creation.

It made the allegation in a statement on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in reaction to the report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on the unemployment rate in the country.

Channels Television had reported that the 33.3 per cent recorded in the fourth quarter of 2020 was 6.2 per cent higher than the 27.1 per cent recorded in the second quarter last year.

The main opposition party believes the latest figure of the unemployment rate is a direct confirmation that the claims of massive job creation by the present administration are mere statistic hoax being used to deceive the people.

It alleged that the report by the NBS, that millions of able-bodied Nigerians have lost their jobs and means of livelihood while many more have become underemployed, have shown the sad situation that the government has brought the nation.

“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.

“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,” the PDP claimed.

It condemned the situation in which the unemployment rate among the youths within the age of 15 to 34 years had risen to 42.5 per cent.

The opposition party said that it was obvious that the Federal Government created jobs only in its alleged fake statistics while in reality, it was taking no concrete steps to empower the hard-working citizens.

“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, departments, and agencies at alarming costs, ranging between N2 million to N6 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, lifesaving, and pensions of aged parents by job fraudsters in official circles,” it alleged.