The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has renewed its criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alleging that he has not demonstrated the capacity required to provide effective leadership for Nigeria.
The party raised its concerns through its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Abubakar Yusuf, in Abuja on Friday, accusing the President of allowing family members, principal aides and other unelected individuals to exercise undue influence over the administration.
Yusuf 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 APM 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 party further criticised 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, which it said had not yielded any meaningful results.
Yusuf said the party was also concerned about the economic consequences of the Federal Government’s policies, including the removal of fuel subsidy, tax measures and increased borrowing, which he claimed had placed businesses and households under severe pressure.
He alleged that the country’s growing debt burden had not translated into sufficient improvements in infrastructure, security, employment and living standards, while also expressing concern over the departure of multinational companies and the continued migration of Nigerian professionals and young people.
The APM said the combination of insecurity, economic hardship and youth migration underscored the need for a different approach to governance, insisting that Nigeria could not afford to place the future of its citizens on what it described as an “autopilot” administration.
It further stated:
“The result is the crippling of the productive sector, with millions of businesses shut down, leading to high costs, a frightening 33.3% unemployment rate and a 63% poverty rate, where over 140 million Nigerians have been plunged into excruciating economic hardship.
“More frightening is that the future of over 250 million Nigerians has been mortgaged to foreign interests by the Tinubu administration’s reckless borrowing, which has pushed our nation’s debt burden to a scary N159.28 trillion, with nothing on ground to show, as most of the proceeds are reported to have been diverted to private purses.
“Due to the worsening situation in the country, major multinationals have been exiting our nation in droves. Over 3.7 million Nigerian youths and professionals have fled the country in what is now known as the ‘Japa’ phenomenon, resulting in the worst brain drain ever, especially in our education and health sectors.
“The fact is that Nigeria cannot afford another four years under such an insensitive and rudderless administration. President Tinubu must understand that Nigeria requires a leader with full stamina, who is present, accessible and fully engaged in governance. Governance cannot be left to uncertainty, nor can the lives of about 250 million Nigerians be placed on autopilot.”
Yusuf said, “Nigeria requires a leader who is present, accessible and fully engaged in governance. Governance cannot be left to uncertainty, nor can the lives and future of Nigerians be placed on autopilot.”
He said 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.”
