The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has called on President Bola Tinubu to withdraw from the 2027 presidential election and support Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the party’s presidential candidate.
APM National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, made the call in a statement on Friday, alleging that the Tinubu administration had failed to provide effective leadership and address Nigeria’s security and economic challenges.
Yusuf accused the president of “abdicated his official duties” to family members, aides and other unelected individuals, while also criticising Tinubu’s absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria and delivered the country’s national statement.
According to the APM spokesperson, Tinubu’s absence from the gathering of world leaders demonstrated what he described as the president’s inability to effectively represent Nigeria’s interests on the international stage.
“Mr President’s repeated absence at meetings of world leaders, particularly the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), also underscores his inability to effectively represent, propagate and drive Nigeria’s interest at the global level where he was expected to engage in high-level diplomatic discussions on matters affecting our nation,” the statement read.
APM Criticises Tinubu Over Insecurity
Yusuf also criticised the Tinubu administration’s handling of insecurity, questioning the president’s alleged failure to personally visit communities affected by terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
He argued that Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief, should demonstrate greater direct involvement in addressing security challenges and engaging with victims and affected families.
“Is it not absurd that President Tinubu has never visited any of the communities being ravaged by terrorists, kidnappers and bandits? Is it not equally absurd that President Tinubu has never directly met with grieving families and victims?” Yusuf asked.
He further alleged that the government’s response to attacks had largely involved issuing statements, giving directives and sending delegations instead of direct visits by the president.
Yusuf claimed that more than 600,000 Nigerians had been killed and many others abducted by terrorist elements over the past three years, attributing the figure to what he described as worsening insecurity under the Tinubu administration.
Party Faults Tinubu’s Economic Policies
The APM publicity secretary also faulted several economic policies introduced by the Tinubu administration, including petrol subsidy removal, tax reforms and external borrowing.
He alleged that the policies had contributed to business closures and increased economic hardship across the country.
Yusuf further claimed that Nigeria’s debt burden had risen to N159.28 trillion, alleging that the country had borrowed excessively without sufficient visible benefits.
He also cited the departure of multinational companies and the migration of Nigerian youths and professionals as evidence of worsening economic conditions.
According to him, more than 3.7 million Nigerians have left the country in the phenomenon popularly known as “Japa”, which he said had contributed to severe brain drain in critical sectors such as education and healthcare.
APM Backs Seyi Makinde for 2027
Yusuf said Nigeria could not afford another four years under what the party described as an “insensitive and rudderless administration”.
The APM spokesperson argued that the country needed a leader who would be present, accessible and actively engaged in governance.
“This is why Nigerians are increasingly rallying around APM’s presidential candidate and Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, a younger, energetic and experienced leader who is not only holding a record of sterling performance as governor of Oyo State but also the blueprint to reset Nigeria,” Yusuf said.
The party subsequently urged Tinubu to reconsider his reported intention to seek another term in office and withdraw from the 2027 presidential contest.
The APM also called on the president to support Makinde, saying such a move would, in its view, serve the overall interest of Nigeria.