The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alleging that he has not demonstrated the capacity required to provide effective leadership for Nigeria. The party's National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Abubakar Yusuf, raised concerns in Abuja on Friday, accusing the President of allowing family members, principal aides, and other unelected individuals to exercise undue influence over the administration.
The APM alleged that the Tinubu administration had become disconnected from Nigerians and was failing to respond adequately to the country's security and economic challenges. The party also faulted the President's absence from major international engagements, particularly the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), arguing that such engagements provide opportunities for the Nigerian leader to advance the country's interests at the global level.
The APM criticized what it described as the President's limited direct engagement with communities affected by terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping, as well as with victims and families affected by attacks. According to the APM, the President, as Commander-in-Chief, should demonstrate greater personal involvement in addressing insecurity rather than relying mainly on official statements, directives, and delegations after attacks.
The party expressed concern about the economic consequences of the Federal Government's policies, including the removal of fuel subsidy, tax measures, and increased borrowing, which Yusuf claimed had placed businesses and households under severe pressure. The country's growing debt burden had not translated into sufficient improvements in infrastructure, security, employment, and living standards.
The APM noted that the combination of insecurity, economic hardship, and youth migration underscored the need for a different approach to governance. The party stated that Nigeria could not afford to place the future of its citizens on what it described as an "autopilot" administration. The result is the crippling of the productive sector, with millions of businesses shut down, leading to high costs and a 33.3% unemployment rate.
The APM highlighted that over 140 million Nigerians have been plunged into excruciating economic hardship, with a 63% poverty rate. The party also noted that the future of over 250 million Nigerians has been mortgaged to foreign interests by the Tinubu administration's reckless borrowings, which have pushed the nation's debt burden to a scary N159.28 trillion.
The APM said Nigeria requires a leader who is present, accessible, and fully engaged in governance. The party believed its presidential candidate and Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, represented a different approach, citing his record in Oyo State and his proposed blueprint for what the party calls a "Reset Nigeria."
Key points
- The Allied Peoples Movement criticizes President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's leadership.
- The party cites ineffective responses to security and economic challenges.
- The APM advocates for a different approach to governance.
