The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has challenged President Bola Tinubu over his planned trip to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on pilgrimage.
The opposition party has instead urged him to Following the Presidency’s public announcement of the President’s trip to Makkah to perform Umrah, also known as the lesser Hajj, and pray for Nigeria, the party questioned the purpose of the journey and urged Tinubu to prioritise the challenges confronting citizens.
The APM’s National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, made the call in a statement on Thursday, October 29, arguing that the President should remain in the country to address the difficulties facing ordinary Nigerians.
“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 also criticised the Tinubu administration over the country’s economic situation, arguing that the President should focus on resolving the hardship facing 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 further invoked the popular expression, “Andrew, check out,” urging Tinubu not to leave the country while Nigerians continue to face economic challenges.
“Let Mr President not behave like ‘Andrew’ of those days, saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should not check out,” he added.
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Turning to the 2027 presidential election, Yusuf 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.
He also expressed confidence in the APM’s presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, claiming that he could defeat Tinubu in the forthcoming election.
Yusuf described Makinde as a hardworking and energetic contender, expressing confidence in his ability to challenge Tinubu’s political influence in the South-West and other parts of the country.
The statement adds to the political exchanges ahead of the 2027 general election, as opposition parties continue to criticise the Federal Government’s handling of the country’s economic challenges.
