APM presidential candidate says fuel subsidy removal and naira float worsened hardship, urges Nigerians to vote out APC in 2027.
Oyo State Governor and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, has criticised the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing the simultaneous removal of fuel subsidy and floating of the naira as a major blow to Nigerians.
Governor Makinde made the remarks on Monday in Abeokuta during the unveiling of the APM deputy governorship candidate in Ogun State, Deborah Abosede Akinlade, alongside the party’s House of Assembly and National Assembly candidates for the 2027 general elections.
Represented by APM national leader, Babatunde Tijani, Governor Makinde argued that implementing both policies at the same time without adequate relief measures had worsened the country’s economic situation.
“How can a person just decide one day that he will remove the fuel subsidy without any cushioning effect or any palliative to fill the gap? At the same time, they still went ahead and floated the naira.
“These two policies have further made life difficult for Nigerians. It is an economic policy that no nation, even advanced countries, can take at the same time,” he said.
The governor questioned the Federal Government’s economic performance, citing rising fuel prices, the high cost of living and exchange rate volatility.
“Now, how many people can take three square meals a day? How much were we buying fuel for before? How much is it now? They said they have stabilised the exchange rate… from how much to how much? And it will go up to ₦1,500, coming back to ₦1,300, and they will be clapping and praising themselves. Who does that?” he asked.
Makinde also expressed concern over the country’s security situation, saying Nigerians could no longer sleep with both eyes closed because of widespread insecurity.
He said the APM was mobilising across Ogun State to present itself as a credible alternative capable of addressing economic hardship and insecurity.
“The purpose of today’s gathering is for the people to see for themselves that APM is grounded in Ogun State. We are mobilising to rescue Nigerians from unnecessary suffering and hardship,” he said.
Makinde urged party members to remain united and work towards unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections, adding that the development achievements recorded in Oyo State demonstrate the APM’s capacity to reset Nigeria.
Also speaking, Ogun State APM Chairman and Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Abayomi Sanyaolu, rated the performance of the APC-led Federal Government at 35 per cent and urged Nigerians to reject vote-buying.
“We should stop exchanging our birthright for ₦10,000 or ₦20,000. If you collect ₦20,000 for your vote, they will use four or eight years on the throne,” he said.
The party’s Ogun State governorship candidate, Rotimi Babajide, promised to prioritise food production, job creation, education, healthcare and road infrastructure if elected, describing the APM as a credible alternative for the state’s development.