APM faults Presidency over attack on Onaiyekan

The Allied People’s Movement (APM) has called on President Bola Tinubu to step down from the presidential race if he lacks solutions for Nigeria's escalating economic and security crises. The opposition party also strongly condemned what it termed "attacks" by the presidency against Archbishop Emeritus John Cardinal Onaiyekan of the Abuja Catholic Diocese.

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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.

APM National Publicity Secretary Abubakar Yusuf stated that the criticism directed at the respected Catholic cleric for his remarks on the country's economic situation demonstrates the Federal Government's intolerance of dissent. The party argued that the government is unwilling to genuinely address the concerns of ordinary Nigerians. Yusuf described the reported attacks on Onaiyekan as unacceptable, asserting that religious leaders should be respected for voicing opinions on national issues.

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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.

"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 APM statement read. The party further asserted that instead of engaging with the concerns raised by prominent citizens and faith leaders, the government has resorted to personal attacks. This approach, APM believes, confirms the administration's disdain for the public and its reluctance to listen to reason or take decisive action.

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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.

The APM emphasized that Onaiyekan's observations reflect the harsh realities faced by millions of Nigerians struggling with rising living costs and insecurity. The party argued that faith-based leaders, due to their close community interactions, serve as credible voices that any administration genuinely concerned about its citizens should respect and value. Their insights, APM concluded, should be considered valuable feedback rather than met with hostility.

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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.