The Conference of United Political Parties (CUPP) has criticized the presidency for its “insensitive and untimely” announcement regarding President Bola Tinubu’s intention to contest the 2027 Presidential Election.
The group condemned the statement as being disconnected from the harsh realities facing Nigerians, who are grappling with severe economic hardship.
Chief Peter Ameh, the National Secretary of CUPP, voiced strong opposition to the remarks made by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume.
Henzodaily recalls Akume, who spoke on Sunday while featuring on a TVC programme, advised Atiku and other northern political bigwigs to shelve the ambition of contesting for the 2027 presidency and wait till 2031 when President Bola Tinubu would have completed his second term in office.
Ameh described the comments as arrogant and dismissive of the country’s current socio-economic struggles.
According to him, millions of Nigerians are battling poverty, inflation, and unemployment, yet the administration appears more concerned with electioneering than with governance.
Ameh said, “The recent declaration has sparked widespread controversy and raised questions about the administration’s priorities and sensitivity to citizens’ plight. Given the current economic hardships, Tinubu’s victory seems unrealistic.”
He argued that the declaration had sparked widespread public outrage and questioned the administration’s priorities.
Ameh insisted that, given the extent of Nigeria’s economic challenges, any talk of Tinubu’s electoral victory was far-fetched.
According to Ameh, the administration’s policies have worsened living conditions, further eroding the trust citizens have in the government.
He suggested that the declaration could be a deliberate distraction aimed at shifting attention away from critical issues plaguing the nation.
He emphasized that the government should prioritize tackling issues such as poverty, insecurity, and infrastructure decay instead of focusing on electoral ambitions.
The CUPP official also raised concerns about the administration’s approach to democratic principles. He stressed that democracy is meant to be people-centered, and as such, governance should be focused on addressing the citizens’ needs, not projecting electoral victories.
Ameh warned that the presidency’s declaration risked undermining Nigeria’s democratic process and ignoring the reality that voters might have different preferences in 2027.
He concluded by calling for a shift in focus, stating, “Nigerians deserve a more inclusive and responsive governance that prioritizes their needs and aspirations.”