The Allied Peoples Movement has accused President Bola Tinubu of failing to provide effective leadership for Nigeria. In a statement, the party alleged that Tinubu has "abdicated" the presidency to a cabal comprising family members, aides, and other unelected individuals. This, the party claims, has led to lethargic governance, economic hardship, and worsening insecurity in the country. The APM called for Tinubu to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race and support its presidential candidate, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
The APM's criticism comes amid renewed attention to Tinubu's absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. The Presidency has said Tinubu is on annual leave and mandated Vice-President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria's delegation to the UNGA. However, the APM argued that the president's absence from the gathering was evidence of a broader leadership problem. The party claimed that Tinubu's repeated absence at meetings of world leaders underscores his inability to effectively represent Nigeria's interests at the global level.
The APM also questioned Tinubu's visibility in communities affected by insecurity. The party asked if it was not absurd that the president had never visited any of the communities being ravaged by terrorists, kidnappers, and bandits. It also asked if it was not equally absurd that Tinubu had never directly met with grieving families and victims. The party claimed that more than 600,000 Nigerians had been killed and many more abducted by terrorist elements during Tinubu's three years in office.
The APM criticized the administration's economic policies, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and tax reforms. The party said the policies had contributed to pressure on households and businesses, claiming that millions of businesses had shut down and that unemployment and poverty had reached alarming levels. According to the International Monetary Fund, poverty stood at 63 percent at the national poverty line, while it estimated Nigeria's economy grew by four percent in 2025.
The party accused the administration of increasing Nigeria's debt burden without sufficient evidence of productive outcomes. The APM claimed that the country's debt had risen to N159.28 trillion and alleged that some borrowed funds had been diverted into private hands. It also cited the departure of multinational companies and the migration of Nigerian professionals under the "Japa" phenomenon as evidence of worsening economic conditions.
The APM warned against another four years of the Tinubu administration, saying Nigeria cannot afford another term under what it described as an insensitive and rudderless administration. The party presented Makinde as its alternative ahead of the 2027 presidential election, describing the Oyo governor as a younger and more energetic leader capable of implementing a "Reset Nigeria" agenda.
The APM urged Tinubu to abandon his reported bid for another term and support Makinde in 2027. The party said Makinde's proposed national reset would address the country's economic, security, and governance challenges. With this, the APM seeks to provide a new direction for Nigeria's future, emphasizing the need for effective leadership and a more engaged president.
Key points
- The Allied Peoples Movement has accused President Bola Tinubu of abdicating the presidency to a cabal.
- The party backs Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as its presidential candidate for 2027.
- The APM criticizes Tinubu's administration for lethargic governance, economic hardship, and worsening insecurity.
