Hails Governor Bala Mohammed for promoting political tolerance in Bauchi, challenges economic policies amid rising hardship
By Abdulwahab Muhammad, SSA Communication
The National Chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, has declared that the party’s mission ahead of the 2027 general elections goes beyond winning political offices, insisting that its ultimate objective is to return political power to ordinary Nigerians and restore their freedom to determine who governs them.
Speaking on Saturday at the official flag-off of the APM presidential campaign in Bauchi, Dantalle said Nigeria’s democracy was facing serious challenges that demanded a fundamental change in political leadership, economic management and governance.
According to him, the APM is determined to champion a political system in which citizens, rather than a privileged few, exercise genuine ownership of the democratic process.
“We want Nigerians to own the political process,” he declared.
The national chairman argued that the worsening economic hardship, insecurity, poverty and social deprivation confronting millions of Nigerians were symptoms of deeper structural problems requiring urgent political and economic reforms.
The national chairman argued that the worsening economic hardship, insecurity, poverty and social deprivation confronting millions of Nigerians were symptoms of deeper structural problems requiring urgent political and economic reforms.
He particularly criticised the rising cost of petroleum products, questioning the justification for increases that have placed additional financial pressure on households already struggling with the high cost of living.
Dantalle maintained that government policies must reflect the economic realities of ordinary citizens, warning that measures which undermine access to basic necessities could worsen social instability.
“You cannot effectively fight corruption when the policies you introduce deprive citizens of their basic necessities and the minimum requirements for survival,” he said.
He further questioned the growing disparity between workers’ earnings and the cost of maintaining their families, arguing that the prevailing economic conditions have made survival increasingly difficult for many Nigerians.
The APM chairman warned that widespread hunger, unemployment and deprivation could aggravate insecurity and criminal activities if the underlying economic challenges remained unresolved.
Dantalle Hails Bala Mohammed’s Democratic Leadership
In a significant endorsement of the political atmosphere in Bauchi State, Dantalle commended Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for what he described as exemplary leadership, political tolerance and commitment to infrastructural and human development.
He said his arrival in Bauchi provided an opportunity to witness what he considered a practical demonstration of democratic freedom, with different political parties openly maintaining offices and displaying campaign billboards and posters without apparent restrictions.
“On my arrival in Bauchi yesterday, I witnessed democracy in its true form, with political parties openly displaying their offices, billboards and campaign posters, conspicuously advertising their parties and candidates,” he stated.
Dantalle described the atmosphere as an encouraging example of political accommodation, noting that such openness was becoming increasingly uncommon in Nigeria’s political environment.
He thanked Governor Bala Mohammed for what he considered a demonstration of genuine democratic leadership and urged other political leaders to embrace tolerance and respect for political diversity.
APM Presents Makinde as Alternative for 2027
Turning to the forthcoming presidential election, Dantalle called on Nigerians to rally behind the APM presidential candidate, Engineer Seyi Makinde, and his running mate, Lawal Daura.
He maintained that the party was offering Nigerians an alternative political platform anchored on economic recovery, improved security, accountable leadership and greater participation in democratic governance.
The national chairman insisted that the 2027 elections should provide Nigerians with an opportunity to reassess the country’s political direction and demand leadership capable of addressing their everyday challenges.
His remarks formed part of the activities marking the official commencement of the APM presidential campaign in Bauchi, as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections.
For Dantalle, the central message of the campaign remains that democracy must serve the people, political power must derive from their freely expressed choices, and governance must ultimately improve their living conditions.
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