APM Condemns Presidency's Attack on Cardinal Onaiyekan Over Economic Comments

The Allied People's Movement (APM) has strongly condemned the presidency's response to Archbishop Emeritus Cardinal John Onaiyekan's remarks about Nigeria's economic struggles. The party criticized the personal attacks against the respected religious leader, viewing them as a sign of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration's disregard for public sentiment.

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This resort to personal attacks against respected citizens for speaking out on the suffering of Nigerians clearly demonstrates the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration’s disdain for the public.

APM's National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, stated that the resort to personal attacks against citizens speaking out about the nation's suffering highlights the administration's unwillingness to listen to reason or take decisive action. The party expressed particular concern over the coordinated attacks against Cardinal Onaiyekan, whose comments were made in the public interest and reflect the harsh realities faced by many Nigerians under President Bola Tinubu's government.

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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.

The party emphasized that religious leaders, who interact daily with citizens, serve as credible voices that any government genuinely concerned about its people should respect. Their observations, stemming from listening to communities and supporting vulnerable populations, should be considered valuable feedback rather than met with hostility. APM finds it unfortunate that the government chose to attack and ridicule religious leaders instead of addressing the legitimate concerns about worsening insecurity and economic hardship.

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The APM is particularly concerned by the coordinated attacks against the globally respected Cardinal Onaiyekan, whose remarks were made in the public interest and reflect the harsh realities confronting millions of Nigerians under the Tinubu-led APC government.

APM asserted that such a response demonstrates alarming intolerance, arrogance, and a disregard for democratic principles like free speech and accountability. The party maintained that President Tinubu cannot dismiss legitimate concerns by merely blaming inherited problems, stating that Nigerians demand solutions, not excuses. The APM suggested that if Tinubu lacks solutions, he should withdraw from the presidential race.

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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.