Salihu Lukman, the immediate-past National Vice Chairman, North West, of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), recently made headlines with his departure from the party and scathing criticism of its current leadership under President Bola Tinubu. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Lukman voiced his concerns about the deteriorating state of affairs in Nigeria since Tinubu assumed office, attributing worsening living conditions and dwindling popularity of the APC to the government’s policies.
Lukman lamented that under Tinubu’s leadership, the party structures have weakened, and governmental policies have adversely affected citizens’ incomes and overall living standards. He expressed a stark assessment that, given the current trajectory, the APC cannot win elections without resorting to rigging, highlighting a grim outlook for the party’s electoral prospects.
As a former member of the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC), Lukman has been vocal in his criticism of what he perceives as a deviation from the party’s founding principles and a resistance to necessary reforms. His decision to leave the APC signifies his disillusionment with its current direction and his resolve to seek alliances with other political leaders committed to advancing democracy and national development in Nigeria.
In concluding his statement, Lukman affirmed his readiness to engage actively in promoting the survival and growth of democracy in Nigeria, signaling his intent to collaborate with like-minded individuals across the political spectrum.
This development underscores internal challenges within the APC and broader concerns about governance and democratic sustainability in Nigeria.