APM Asks Tinubu to Quit 2027 Race, Back Makinde

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race and support its candidate, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, arguing that the country needs more energetic and engaged leadership.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, the party accused Tinubu of failing to provide effective leadership and alleged that he had “abdicated” the presidency to a cabal of family members, principal aides and other unelected individuals who now control the administration.

The APM described the Tinubu government as lethargic, saying the president was often absent from governance and disconnected from Nigerians.

It cited his absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria while Tinubu was on annual leave as evidence of a broader leadership shortfall.

The party claimed the president preferred holidaying abroad at taxpayers’ expense while critical matters of state were left in the hands of aides and relatives.

On security, the APM questioned why Tinubu had never visited communities affected by terrorism, kidnapping and banditry or met directly with victims’ families.

It alleged that more than 600,000 Nigerians had been killed and many more abducted during his three years in office (a figure the party advanced that has not been independently verified and exceeds estimates from other monitors).

The party also criticised the administration’s economic policies, including the removal of fuel subsidy, tax measures and borrowing, saying they had deepened hardship, forced businesses to close, driven up unemployment and poverty, and contributed to the “Japa” emigration of professionals. It claimed Nigeria’s debt had risen sharply and that the future of over 250 million citizens had been mortgaged.

“Nigeria cannot afford another four years under such an insensitive and rudderless administration,” the statement said.

“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 presented Makinde as the alternative, describing the Oyo governor as a younger, energetic and experienced leader with a strong performance record in his state and a “Reset Nigeria” blueprint to address economic, security and governance challenges.

It therefore urged Tinubu to reconsider any plan to seek another term, step aside from the 2027 contest and “be patriotic by supporting Engr. Makinde in the overall interest of the nation.”