The Allied People’s Movement (APM) has challenged President Bola Tinubu to disclose the actual purpose of his planned trip to Saudi Arabia, urging him to remain in Nigeria and address the economic hardship confronting citizens.
The party questioned the President’s announced plan to undertake the lesser Hajj pilgrimage, suggesting that the trip should not be used as a cover for other activities.
APM National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, stated this in a statement, arguing that the President should prioritise the country’s pressing challenges rather than travel abroad.
“Lesser Hajj involves prayer and supplications, but not an opportunity to do the unusual or as a cover to do other things,” Yusuf said.
The party spokesman accused the Tinubu administration of worsening the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, insisting that the President should focus on addressing the challenges confronting ordinary citizens.
“You cannot pray for the problems you have inflicted on ordinary Nigerians, rather than staying here to resolve the heavily burdened, self-contrived problems of the citizens,” he said.
Yusuf also referenced the popular expression, “Andrew, check out,” urging Tinubu not to leave the country at a time when Nigerians are grappling with mounting economic pressures.
“Let Mr President not behave like ‘Andrew’ of those days, saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should not check out,” he added.
Looking ahead to the 2027 presidential election, the APM spokesman questioned Tinubu’s electoral prospects, claiming that the President could struggle to secure at least 25 per cent of the votes in 12 selected states.
Yusuf expressed confidence that the party’s presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, would defeat Tinubu in the 2027 election.
He described Makinde as a hardworking and energetic politician capable of challenging Tinubu’s political influence in the South-West and other parts of southern Nigeria.
The comments come amid political debates over Tinubu’s planned Saudi Arabian trip and the economic challenges facing the country.
