APC endorsing Tinubu instead of addressing economic hardship, says Malami

Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation, has criticised chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for taking turns to endorse President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Malami spoke during a meeting organised by the National Political Consultative Group (North) in Abuja on Sunday.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023; Chibuike Amaechi, former governor of Rivers state; were among opposition leaders who attended the meeting.

The gathering was one in a series of consultative events by opposition leaders seeking to forge a coalition against Tinubu.

In his keynote address, the ex-AGF said Tinubu’s policies are crippling the economy of northern Nigeria.

Malami said rather than address the myriad challenges bedevilling the country, endorsing Tinubu for a second term in office has taken centre stage in the ruling party.

“Just a few days ago, the ruling party held its national summit and instead of addressing the serious issues of insecurity, economic hardship and rising poverty, it chose to focus on politics, endorsing President Bola Tinubu as sole candidate for the 2027 election that is still two years away,” Malami was quoted as saying by THISDAY.

The former AGF urged stakeholders to form a united front to “reclaim” the country and create a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

On May 22, the APC held a national summit in Abuja, which was attended by party stakeholders, including Tinubu and Shettima.

At the summit, the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) formally endorsed Tinubu as the sole candidate of the APC for the 2027 election.

Malami served as attorney-general of the federation from 2015 to 2023 under the APC-led administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Recently, Malami and some members of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc of the APC have expressed dissatisfaction with the activities of the ruling party.

COMMUNIQUE

A communique signed by Babachir Lawal, former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), said delegates at the meeting agreed that the north must present a united front for future elections.

The group also resolved that the political platform on which the interest of the north would be pursued should be named.

“Delegates resolved that the north must proceed with a united front in political choice going forward to ensure the region gets its maximum return in national political participation,” the communique reads.

“That the region and, indeed, the nation need selfless leaders both in the management of political parties as well as public sector governance.

“Decried the impunity of elected leaders who run away with the peoples mandate by purporting to make decisions for their constituents without consultation, citing the recent developments in which elected governors and legislators are usurping the power of the people by endorsing other persons and themselves for re-election to political offices without reference to their constituents, advising that constituents should sanction such elected officials to serve as deterrent.

“Agreed on the need to escalate the group’s initiative to all the 19 states and FCT though the provision of the appropriate template.

“Resolved that the region must prioritise and promote industrialisation and high productivity in all sectors in order to exit the present economic quagmire.

“That, going forward, the north must premise its support for candidates at elections on enforceable agreement for the purpose of ensuring and protecting the informed interests of the region, irrespective of where the candidates come from.”