By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
The Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation (MDPCO) on Thursday claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scared of being jeered and disgraced by Nigerians over his abysmal failures in office, hence his cowardly decision not to go around the country to campaign, which is an aberration in a democracy.
The MDPCO
Also, referring to himself as “Governor Tinubu” at the inauguration of his own presidential campaign council, the MDPCO said, indicates a serious state of confabulation, disorientation and disconnection from reality underscoring his unfitness to govern.
The organization said this in a statement by its Director of Strategic Communications, Richard Ihediha in Abuja.
The statement said, “MDPCO considers President Tinubu’s decision not to accompany the “Nebuchadnezzar Coalition” Campaign Council to every state of the federation as a desperate attempt to evade public resentment, knowing that his government has hopelessly renewed the ‘anger’ of Nigerians, rather than their ‘hope’ in the past three and half years.
“The decision not only constitutes a serious affront to the Nigerian electorate, but also makes a caricature of democratic ethos. “Besides, Mr. President’s decision and his confabulatory statement further confirm fears by Nigerians that he is not fit to face the rigours of governing a nation like Nigeria.
“The decision not to campaign around the country also reinforces public apprehension that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is not ready for a free, fair and credible election but plotting to circumvent and compromise the process against the Will of the people.
“A president who believes he has performed well should be confident to defend his record before the people.
“However, having failed in all of his promises and having no meaningful achievements to boast of, President Tinubu is now fishing for excuses not to face the people.
“If governance was truly his priority, as he claimed, President or ‘Governor’ Tinubu would not have been globe-trothing and staying away from the theater of governance.
“In fact, he should be eager to use the opportunity of the campaign to face Nigerians and take responsibly for his failures.
“Mr. President is reminded that he told Nigerians not to vote for him in 2027 if he fails to fix electricity in the country.
“Today, electricity has become more epileptic and Nigerians pay 10 times higher the amount they paid on tariff before this administration.
“President Tinubu promised jobs and economic prosperity. Painfully, under his watch Nigeria has descended abysmally into economic deprivation and misery with more than 140 million citizens plunged into abject poverty and unable to afford their daily meals and other essentials of life.
“The reckless removal of petrol subsidy, poorly executed floatation of the Naira and other policies without adequate protection for vulnerable citizens has plunged millions of households into punishing hardship.
“Hunger has intensified, purchasing power has eroded, and poverty has become an unbearable reality for countless Nigerians.
“The administration’s economic prescriptions have imposed enormous sacrifices on citizens without delivering the relief and prosperity they were promised.
“President Tinubu also promised to ensure more effective security, but sadly under his ineffective watch, terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminal elements are having a field day ravaging our country, killing thousands of compatriots and holding many more hostage.
“The monumental failures in security, economic management and governance explain why, President Tinubu is reluctant to take his re-election campaign directly to Nigerians.
“Our campaign organization insists that President Tinubu cannot continue to demand another mandate without coming out to campaign and account for the conditions under which Nigerians currently live.
“If President Tinubu is so fatigued, that he cannot go round the country to canvass for votes, then he should withdraw from the race as Nigerians are not ready to continue with an absentee and lethargic president that lacks the capacity and capability to lead from the front.
“Nigerians at this moment earnestly desire a youthful, energetic and active President with stamina for leadership.
“This is why they are clamouring for the Presidential Candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Engr Seyi Makinde, whose RESET NIGERIA Agenda offers solutions for the security, economic and social challenges confronting our nation.
“Unlike President Tinubu, Engr. Makinde is competent, resourceful and has been going round the country, meeting with the people, vigorously campaigning and soliciting for votes with his sterling record of achievements and vision for the nation under the RESET NIGERIA Agenda.
“President Tinubu should therefore spare himself the embarrassment of rejection by withdrawing from the Presidential race.
“The presidency is not an entitlement, and seeking re-election must come with a willingness to account for one’s record before the electorate”, the statement concluded.
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