*challenges President to Visit Markets, Communities 

 

The Allied People’s Movement (APM) has dismissed President Bola Tinubu’s assertion that Nigeria’s economy and security situation have improved under his administration, describing the claims as “illusory” and far removed from the realities confronting Nigerians.

 

The opposition party also challenged the President to leave the comfort of the Presidential Villa and visit communities, travel by road across the country, and interact directly with ordinary Nigerians in local markets if he believes the economy has truly recovered.

The APM made its position known in a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, in reaction to remarks made by President Tinubu during an audience with Catholic bishops, where the President reportedly said his administration had rescued the economy from bankruptcy and restored stability.

According to the party, the President’s optimistic assessment of the nation’s economic and security conditions contradicts the hardship experienced daily by Nigerians and undermines the concerns repeatedly expressed by citizens and religious leaders.

The APM argued that presenting such claims to Catholic bishops, whom it described as spiritual leaders with close contact with the grassroots, amounted to a disregard for the realities facing ordinary Nigerians.

“It is unfortunate that instead of being candid about his failures and seeking help, President Tinubu is engaging in forum shopping to downplay and play cheap politics with the nation’s dire security and economic situation,” the statement read.

The party maintained that available data from independent institutions showed that poverty had continued to worsen under the current administration, claiming that the national poverty rate had risen above 63 per cent in 2026, with more than 140 million Nigerians allegedly living below the poverty line.

It also accused the Federal Government of exposing the country to mounting debt through what it described as reckless external borrowing, claiming that Nigeria’s external debt had risen to $51.86 billion and could climb further by 2027.

The APM further linked the country’s economic difficulties to the removal of fuel subsidy and the consequent increase in the pump price of petrol, arguing that the development had triggered sharp increases in transportation costs, food prices, school fees, healthcare expenses, electricity tariffs and house rents.

According to the party, the resulting inflationary pressures have placed essential goods and services beyond the reach of many Nigerians.

On security, the opposition party contended that despite repeated assurances by the Federal Government, terrorism, banditry and kidnapping remained widespread, accusing the administration of failing to move beyond promises in tackling insecurity.

It further alleged that comments by some government officials and leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had emboldened criminal elements by opposing calls for an international probe into terrorism-related activities in the country.

The party also urged President Tinubu to demonstrate confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare system by seeking medical treatment within the country rather than travelling abroad.

It equally challenged the President to undertake road trips across Nigeria and visit local markets without official insulation if he wished to convince Nigerians that their standard of living had improved over the past three years.

The APM advised presidential aides to refrain from what it described as efforts to market an inaccurate narrative of the administration’s performance, warning that such an approach would not improve the President’s electoral prospects ahead of the 2027 general election.

The party concluded by expressing confidence in its presidential aspiration for Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, whom it described as possessing the competence, administrative capacity and integrity required to reposition the country.

The Presidency has repeatedly maintained that ongoing economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy, exchange rate liberalisation and fiscal restructuring, are necessary measures aimed at stabilising the economy and laying the foundation for sustainable long-term growth, despite the short-term hardship experienced by citizens.