The Allied People’s Movement, APM, has called on President Bola Tinubu to resign or withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if his administration has no solution to the economic and security challenges facing the country.
The opposition party also condemned what it described as attacks by the Presidency on the Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, over his comments on the state of the Nigerian economy.
The party made its position known in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, on Thursday.
The APM said the criticism directed at the respected Catholic cleric was unacceptable and showed what it described as intolerance of opposing views by the Federal Government.
According to the party, instead of responding to concerns raised by ordinary Nigerians, religious leaders and other citizens over economic hardship and insecurity, the government had resorted to attacking those who criticised its policies.
“Since President Tinubu has demonstrated through his reliance on excuses that he has no solutions, he should withdraw from the presidential race and allow younger hands with workable solutions to manage the affairs of our nation,” the party said.
The APM said the country was facing serious economic and security difficulties and argued that the government should focus on finding solutions rather than engaging its critics.
The party specifically faulted the Presidency for its response to Onaiyekan’s comments about the economic situation under the Tinubu administration.
“The Allied People’s Movement strongly condemns the presidency’s attack on the Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, over his comments regarding the country’s worsening economic situation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration,” the statement said.
Onaiyekan, a prominent Catholic cleric and former Archbishop of Abuja, has remained a strong voice on national issues, including governance, poverty, insecurity and the welfare of Nigerians.
Religious leaders in Nigeria have historically spoken on political and social issues, often using their platforms to draw attention to problems affecting citizens.
The APM said such interventions should not be treated as political attacks but as contributions to national discussions.
The party argued that respected citizens, including religious leaders, had a right to express their views on the direction of the country.
It said the government should respond to criticism with facts and policies rather than personal attacks against individuals raising concerns.
The latest statement adds to the growing political debate over the performance of the Tinubu administration as political parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Tinubu assumed office in May 2023 after winning the presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Since taking office, his administration has introduced major economic reforms, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and changes to the foreign exchange system.
The government has defended the reforms as necessary steps to correct long-standing weaknesses in the economy and place Nigeria on a stronger path to growth.
However, the policies have also triggered concerns among Nigerians over the rising cost of living.
The removal of the petrol subsidy led to a sharp increase in transport and other living costs, while inflation and the rising prices of food and basic goods have remained major concerns for households.
The government has introduced various measures aimed at reducing the impact of the economic difficulties, including interventions targeting vulnerable Nigerians and efforts to increase food production.
The security situation has also remained a major issue, with Nigerians in different parts of the country continuing to face threats from bandits, kidnappers, terrorists and other criminal groups.
The APM said the government must do more to address these challenges and provide practical solutions to the problems confronting citizens.
The party’s call for Tinubu to resign or abandon his re-election ambition is also part of the wider political debate over whether the President should seek a second term in 2027.
Although Tinubu has not formally launched a presidential campaign, political activities ahead of the election have already intensified, with political parties and groups making plans and assessing possible candidates.
The APC and its supporters have continued to defend the administration’s record, arguing that the reforms introduced by Tinubu are necessary and that their benefits will become clearer with time.
Opposition parties, however, have continued to criticise the government over economic hardship, unemployment, insecurity and other challenges.
The APM’s latest statement reflects the opposition’s broader argument that the government should be held accountable for the impact of its policies on Nigerians.
The party also accused the Presidency of refusing to engage constructively with criticism.
According to the APM, the government should welcome contributions from people with different views, particularly when such comments draw attention to the difficulties faced by citizens.
It said attacking critics could discourage public discussion and create the impression that the government was unwilling to listen to Nigerians.
The party maintained that religious leaders had a special role to play in society because of their influence and close contact with ordinary people.
It therefore urged the Federal Government to respect Onaiyekan and other religious leaders who speak about issues affecting the country.
The APM said the focus should be on addressing the problems raised by the cleric rather than attacking him personally.
The party’s position is likely to add to the political debate surrounding the 2027 election and the performance of the current administration.
With the next general election approaching, economic conditions, insecurity and the cost of living are expected to remain major issues in political campaigns and public discussions.
The APM urged Nigerians to continue demanding accountability from political leaders and said those seeking to govern the country must be prepared to provide workable solutions to its problems.
The party maintained that if Tinubu believed he could no longer provide answers to the country’s challenges, he should step aside and allow another leader to take over.
For now, the Presidency and the ruling APC are expected to continue defending the administration’s record and its economic reforms.
The APM, however, insisted that the government must listen to criticism and address the concerns raised by Nigerians rather than dismissing or attacking those who speak out.