APM asks Tinubu to quit 2027 race, back Makinde

The Allied Peoples Movement has called on President Bola Tinubu to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race and support its candidate, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

The opposition party made the demand in a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf.

The APM accused the Tinubu administration of failing to provide what it described as effective leadership and alleged that the President had “abdicated his official duties” to family members, aides and other unelected persons.

Yusuf also faulted Tinubu’s absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented Tinubu at the UNGA and delivered Nigeria’s national statement on Thursday, September 24. The Federal Government had earlier announced that Shettima would lead Nigeria’s delegation on the President’s behalf.

The APM said Tinubu’s absence from the gathering of world leaders raised concerns about Nigeria’s representation on the international stage.

“Mr President’s repeated absence at meetings of world leaders, particularly the United Nations General Assembly, also underscores his inability to effectively represent, propagate and drive Nigeria’s interest at the global level,” Yusuf said.

The party also criticised the administration’s handling of insecurity.

Yusuf alleged that Tinubu had failed to personally visit communities affected by terrorism, banditry and kidnapping or meet victims and grieving families.

He further claimed that the government’s response to insecurity had contributed to continued attacks across the country.

The APM also took aim at the administration’s economic policies, including petrol subsidy removal, tax reforms and borrowing.

Yusuf alleged that the policies had worsened economic hardship and contributed to business closures.

He claimed that Nigeria’s debt had risen to N159.28tn and alleged that the proceeds of borrowing had not produced sufficient visible benefits.

The claims concerning the debt figure and the wider economic impact were made by the APM in its statement and were not independently established in the party’s release.

The party also raised concerns over youth migration, commonly referred to as “Japa”, alleging that more than 3.7 million Nigerian youths and professionals had left the country.

Yusuf said Nigeria could not afford another four years under what the party described as an “insensitive and rudderless administration”.

He urged Tinubu to withdraw from the 2027 contest and support Makinde.

“President Tinubu must understand that Nigeria requires a leader with full stamina, who is present, accessible and fully engaged in governance,” Yusuf said.

He described Makinde as a younger and experienced leader capable of resetting the country, while urging the President to support the governor “in the overall interest of the nation”.

Makinde is the APM’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election, making the party’s call both a criticism of the incumbent administration and an appeal for support for its candidate.