Tinubu claims of economic recovery, illusory, says APM

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

The Allied People’s Movement (APM) has described claims by President Bola Tinubu, during a meeting with the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) that the economy and security situation in the country has improved as illusory.

The APM, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary,  Abubakar Yusuf, yesterday, said the President’s stance at

a time millions of Nigerians are sinking deeper into poverty and terrorists are having a field day across the country showed contempt for the bishops as well as Nigerians.

The opposition party challenged  President Tinubu not to travel abroad for medical treatment, in the remaining part of his tenure, but stay in the country “to benefit from the ‘wonderful’ healthcare his administration has provided.”

According to the opposition party,  “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.

“Contrary to claims by President Tinubu that ‘the economy has recovered ‘ and that his administration has steered the nation from ‘bankruptcy and the dark tunnel of uncertainty,’  independent data from credible institutions show that the poverty rate has risen above 63 per cent in 2026. This indicates that over 140 million Nigerians have been plunged into poverty under the Tinubu administration.

“Moreover, how can President Tinubu make such claims when, in reality, his administration has mortgaged the future of our nation through reckless external borrowing, which has risen to a scary $51.86 billion under his misrule and is projected to hit $72.6 billion by 2027?

“How can President Tinubu think that any Nigerian, let alone clergymen who are in constant touch with the suffering masses, will believe his claims that the economy is improving, especially after he triggered an increase in fuel price to over N1,500 per liter; a development that  set off an adverse chain reaction that pushed transport fare, food prices, school fees, medical bills, house rents, electricity tariffs, and the prices of everyday goods and services far beyond the reach of ordinary citizens?

“On security, the APM invites Nigerians to note that the Tinubu administration has taken no decisive action beyond making promises and commitments in the fight against terrorism. Instead, some officials of the Tinubu administration and certain leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) continue to make unguarded statements that embolden terrorists, including voicing antagonism against calls for an international probe into acts of terrorism in Nigeria.

“The APM also challenges President Tinubu to demonstrate his claimed achievements by leaving the comfort of the Presidential Villa to travel by road to any city of his choice in Nigeria or visit any local market, and attempt to tell Nigerians that their lives have improved over the last three years.

“The APM urges President Tinubu’s handlers to stop exposing the President to public ridicule, as such forum shopping to peddle false performance claims will not save him from defeat in the 2027 general election.

“Indeed, such antics will not help President Tinubu against our presidential candidate, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who has demonstrated the requisite capacity, administrative skill, presence of mind and integrity to effectively lead our nation out of the woods where President Tinubu has plunged it.”