Religious Leaders’ Observations Deserve Attention, Not Hostility — APM Tells Presidency

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has told the President Bola Tinubu-led Presidency to pay careful attention to observations by religious leaders instead of responding with hostility.

The party added that President Tinubu cannot dismiss legitimate concerns by merely pointing to inherited problems, saying Nigerians want solutions, not excuses.

National Publicity Secretary of the APM, Abubakar Yusuf, said this in a statement condemning the Presidency’s attack on the Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, over his comments regarding the country’s worsening economic situation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The party said the resort to personal attacks against respected citizens for speaking out on the suffering of Nigerians demonstrates the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration’s disdain for the public.

The party said this further confirmed that the administration is unwilling to listen to the voice of reason or take decisive steps to address the challenges facing the nation.

“The APM is particularly concerned by the coordinated attacks against the globally respected Cardinal Onaiyekan, whose remarks were made in the public interest and reflect the harsh realities confronting millions of Nigerians under the Tinubu-led APC government,” it said.

It added that religious leaders interact daily with citizens across communities, stressing that any administration with the interests of Nigerians at heart should respect and value their voices.

“Their observations deserve careful attention, not hostility. Faith-based leaders do not speak in isolation; they listen to citizens, counsel families, support vulnerable communities, and understand the realities facing the people. Their interventions should be received in good faith and considered valuable feedback for the government.”

The party said it is unfortunate and highly vexatious that rather than addressing the legitimate concerns of worsening insecurity and biting economic hardship raised by religious leaders, the APC-led Federal Government chose instead to attack and ridicule them for drawing attention to the plight of Nigerians.

“Such a response reflects an alarming level of intolerance, arrogance, and disregard for democratic principles such as free speech, dialogue, and accountability — all of which must be condemned by all.

“Democracy thrives when leaders listen to the people, respect opposing views, and respond to genuine concerns with humility. Resorting to personal attacks against Nigerians, including respected religious leaders, only deepens public distrust and diverts attention from the urgent task of addressing the economic difficulties confronting the nation.

“The APM maintains that President Tinubu cannot dismiss legitimate concerns by merely pointing to inherited problems. Nigerians want solutions, not excuses. Since the President has resorted to excuses rather than solutions, he should withdraw from the presidential race and allow younger hands with workable solutions to manage the affairs of our nation.

“What Nigerians expect now is for President Tinubu to apologise to the nation for these unwarranted attacks directed at respected faith-based leaders for voicing the concerns of the people.

“The APM reiterates that no government strengthens democracy by silencing or intimidating voices of conscience. The path to national progress lies in listening to the people, respecting institutions, embracing accountability, and responding decisively to the genuine concerns of citizens.

“We urge the Tinubu administration to abandon its combative approach to criticism and focus instead on implementing policies that address hunger, restore hope, and improve the living conditions of all Nigerians” it added.