The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is disconnected from Nigerians and lacks the capacity to provide effective leadership for the country.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, APM alleged that President Tinubu has abdicated his duties to a cabal comprising family members, principal aides and other unelected persons who have seized control of the administration.
“President Tinubu runs a lethargic administration and is most of the time absent from the theatre of governance. He is completely disconnected from Nigerians. He seems unperturbed and pays little or no attention to the security and economic challenges his administration has brought to the country,” the party stated.
The APM also faulted what it described as the President’s repeated absence at meetings of world leaders, particularly the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), saying it underscores his inability to effectively represent and drive Nigeria’s interest at the global level.
“Instead, President Tinubu prefers holidaying abroad at taxpayers’ expense while critical matters of state are left in the hands of a cabal of aides and family members,” it added.
The party questioned why the President has never visited communities ravaged by terrorists, kidnappers and bandits or met directly with grieving families and victims.
“President Tinubu has never, as Commander-in-Chief, demonstrated the commitment and capacity to lead from the front on matters of security. Instead, any time there was an attack, his Presidency will only issue lame statements, give directives or dispatch delegations rather than making direct on-the-ground visits himself,” the APM said.
According to the party, such an approach has emboldened terrorists, bandits and kidnappers, resulting in the reported killing of over 600,000 Nigerians and the abduction of many more in the last three years.
On the economy, the APM accused the administration of failing to present an effective strategy to harness the nation’s human and natural resources, resorting instead to harsh policies including the abrupt removal of fuel subsidy, imposition of stringent tax regimes and reckless external borrowing.
“The result is the crippling of the productive sector with millions of businesses shut down, leading to high costs, a frightening 33.3 per cent unemployment rate and a 63 per cent poverty rate, where over 140 million Nigerians have been plunged into excruciating economic hardship,” the statement read.
The party further claimed that the administration’s borrowings have pushed the nation’s debt to N159.28 trillion, with nothing on the ground to show for it, and alleged that major multinationals have exited the country while over 3.7 million youths and professionals have emigrated in the “Japa” phenomenon.
“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,” the APM stated.
The party said Nigerians are increasingly rallying around its presidential candidate and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, whom it described as a younger, energetic and experienced leader with a record of sterling performance and a blueprint to reset Nigeria.
The APM urged President Tinubu to reconsider his intention to seek another term and support Makinde in the interest of the nation.
