*’Because Of President Tinubu’s Policies, A Sizeable Number Of Multinational Companies Left Our Nation In Droves; Millions Of Businesses And Enterprises That Sustained Families Folded, Cost Of Living Skyrocketed, Unemployment Became Widespread, With Over 60 % Of Nigerians Unable To Afford Daily Meals, Medications, Other Necessities’
*’Instead Of listening To The Voice Of Reason, Tinubu Administration Embarked On Ego Trip, Chest-thumping That Ended Up Ruining The Economy, Crippling The Productive Sector’
By Tony Ezimakor, Abuja
Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has told President Bola Tinubu to apologise to Nigerians over the hardship his administration foisted on the people and immediately withdraw from the 2027 presidential race.
The party was reacting to what it described as an open admission by the Federal Government (FG) that it did not envisage that its “reforms” would align with global turbulences to inflict far reaching economic hardship on citizens.
The party in a statement Thursday said the reported acknowledgement by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, that some of the administration’s reforms contributed to the cost-of-living crisis has vindicated the party’s insistence that government’s economic policies were ill-advised.
The statement signed by APM National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, maintained that, no matter how well-intended, the polices of the Tinubu administration have imposed additional hardship on Nigerians and made a mess of their lives and livelihoods.
Bagudu, while speaking at the Federal Appointees Strategic Summit in Abuja on Wednesday, had reportedly acknowledged that reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration contributed to cost-of-living pressures confronting Nigerians.
Reacting to the remarks, the APM alleged that the government failed to put adequate safeguards in place before implementing major economic reforms, stressing that this was a demonstration of poor vision.
The party noted that critics of the administration had warned that the removal of petrol subsidy, floating of the Naira and introduction of taxes in one fell swoop without placing sufficient safeguards, could precipitate crises in the economy, a caution that fell on deaf ears.
“Right from onset, well-meaning Nigerians had cautioned that the abrupt removal of subsidy on petroleum products, floating of the naira, imposition of harsh taxes and other anti-production policies in an economy such as Nigeria would precipitate untold hardship on the people.
“Instead of listening to the voice of reason, the Tinubu administration embarked on an ego trip and chest-thumping that ended up ruining the economy and crippling the productive sector.
“The result is the growing number of millions of compatriots languishing in multidimensional poverty,” APM stated.
The reforms, the party also noted, have resulted in huge capital flight with the departure of several multinational companies, closure of businesses, rising living costs and worsening unemployment.
“Because of President Tinubu’s policies, a sizeable number of multinational companies left our nation in droves; millions of businesses and enterprises that sustained families folded, cost of living skyrocketed, unemployment became widespread, with over 60 per cent of the Nigerian population unable to afford their daily meals, medications and other necessities of life, while corruption and treasury looting fester in government circles,” the party claimed.
The APM consequently demanded that Tinubu takes responsibility for what it said were the adverse consequences of his administration’s policies and withdraws from the 2027 presidential contest.
“Now that the administration has admitted that it has failed and that it is responsible for the woes of the citizens, it is expected that President Tinubu should take responsibility, apologise to Nigerians and quit the 2027 presidential race, as he has not demonstrated the capacity and needed insight to pull the the country out of present quagmire.
“The admission by Minister Bagudu firmly settles the fact that the Nigerian system requires a hard reset from the comatose situation it has been plunged into by the All Progressives Congress government,” the party said.
The APM, promoted by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who is its presidential candidate for 2027 poll, claimed that his record of achievements in the State urgently needs replication.at the federal level to ease the pain of Nigerians.
“Nigeria deserves the duplication, at national level, of Engr. Makinde’s record of performance, including growing the economy of Oyo State to become one of the best performing in Nigeria and the West African sub-region,” the party said.
“Our party therefore urges Nigerians to remain steadfast and continue to rally behind Makinde as we vigorously mobilise the citizens to democratically take back Nigeria from the misrule of the APC, come January 16, 2027,” the party said.
