APM Cautions Presidency To Withdraw 2027 Presidential Race, Condemns Attack On Onaiyekan

The Allied People’s Movement has called on President Bola Tinubu to withdraw from the presidential race if he has no solutions to Nigeria’s worsening economic and security challenges.

This is even as the opposition party condemned what it described as attacks by the presidency on the Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja Catholic Diocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan.

The party said the criticism directed at the respected Catholic cleric over his comments on the country’s economic situation reflected intolerance of dissent and an unwillingness by the Federal Government to address the concerns of ordinary Nigerians.

In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, the APM described the reported attacks on Onaiyekan as unacceptable, arguing that religious leaders should be respected for speaking on issues affecting the nation.

“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 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 partly read.

According to the party, rather than engaging with concerns raised by respected citizens and faith leaders, the government had chosen to resort to personal attacks.

“This resort to personal attacks against respected citizens for speaking out on the suffering of Nigerians clearly demonstrates the administration’s disdain for the public. It further confirms that the administration is unwilling to listen to the voice of reason or take decisive steps to address the challenges facing our nation”, it stressed.

The APM said Onaiyekan’s remarks reflected the realities confronting millions of Nigerians grappling with rising living costs and insecurity.

“As leaders who interact daily with citizens across communities, religious leaders serve as credible voices that any administration with the interests of Nigerians at heart should respect and value. Their observations deserve careful attention, not hostility,” the party added.

It added that faith-based leaders are uniquely positioned to understand the challenges facing Nigerians because of their close engagement with communities.

“Faith-based leaders do not speak in isolation; they listen to citizens, counsel families, support vulnerable communities, and understand the realities facing the people. Their interventions should be received in good faith and considered valuable feedback for the government.”