Bagudu’s Hardship Admission Confirms Tinubu’s Failure, Says APM

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has described comments by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, on the economic turbulence triggered by the Federal Government’s reforms as an admission of failure by the President Bola Tinubu administration.

In a statement on Thursday, APM National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, said Bagudu’s remarks at the Federal Appointees Strategic Summit in Abuja on Wednesday that the government did not anticipate the scale of the economic turbulence amounted to “a gross admission of incompetence.”

Yusuf said the development vindicated the party’s earlier criticism that the administration embarked on far-reaching economic policies without adequate safeguards to protect Nigerians from their consequences.

He cited the removal of fuel subsidy, Naira flotation, taxation and other policies as measures the party had warned would worsen hardship if implemented without adequate preparation.

“Instead of listening to voice of reason, the Tinubu administration embarked on ego trip and chest thumping that ended up ruining the economy and cripple the productive sector,” Yusuf alleged.

According to him, the consequences include rising cost of living, business closures, unemployment and increased poverty, while some multinational companies have also exited the country.

The APM further alleged that more than 60 per cent of Nigerians are unable to afford basic necessities, including food and medication, and accused the government of allowing corruption and alleged treasury looting to persist.

The party called on President Tinubu to take responsibility for the economic difficulties, apologise to Nigerians and reconsider his bid for the 2027 presidential election.

Yusuf said the alleged admission by Bagudu underscored the need for what he described as a “hard reset” of the Nigerian system, arguing that the country requires leadership with a clear economic blueprint, policy foresight and safeguards for citizens.

The APM also promoted its presidential candidate, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, as the alternative, claiming that he has a blueprint for a “people-based and development-driven government” capable of addressing Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.

The party urged Nigerians to support Makinde and said it would intensify mobilisation ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.