APM faults Tinubu’s reforms, laments economic hardship

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The Allied Peoples Movement has described the remarks by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, on the economic challenges confronting the country as confirmation of the failure of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

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In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, on Thursday, the APM faulted the removal of fuel subsidy, naira floatation and other economic measures, alleging that they had worsened hardship and negatively affected businesses and households across the country.

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Bagudu, who spoke at the Federal Appointees Strategic Summit in Abuja on Wednesday, acknowledged that the government had underestimated the scale of the economic turbulence that followed its reforms.

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Reacting, the party said Bagudu’s admission validated its earlier concerns about the administration’s policies.

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The statement read, “It is indeed irresponsible and unpardonable for a government to arrogantly embark on far-reaching economic policies without adequately assessing their damaging consequences on citizens.

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“Right from the 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.

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“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 cripple the productive sector. The result is the growing number of millions of compatriots languishing in multi-dimensional poverty.

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“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 Nigerian population unable to afford their daily meals, medications and other necessities of life while corruption and treasury looting fester in government circles.”

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The APM urged President Bola Tinubu to take responsibility for the hardship facing Nigerians, apologise to citizens and withdraw from the 2027 presidential race.

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It added, “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 to effectively run an insightful and productive system.

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“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. Nigeria requires and deserves a leadership that has the blueprint, policy foresight and adequate safeguards required to manage a nation and ensure the well-being of all citizens.

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“This informs why Nigerians are gravitating towards the presidential candidate of the APM, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who is armed with the blueprint to run a people-based and development-driven government with a clear roadmap for tackling Nigeria’s economic and security challenges while protecting citizens from avoidable hardship.”

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The party said Nigeria deserved to replicate at the national level what it described as Makinde’s achievements in Oyo State, including the state’s economic growth.

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It also urged Nigerians to support Makinde and mobilise for his candidacy ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.

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