Salihu Lukman, the immediate-past National Vice Chairman, Northwest, of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has urged the creation of a viable alternative platform to restore the party to its proper position. In a statement issued on Saturday, Lukman expressed confidence that the APC would overcome the current unplanned leadership of President Bola Tinubu, who he said has challenged Nigerians to think beyond conventional politics.
Lukman emphasized that APC members, leaders, and all patriotic Nigerians committed to democratic development must question the value of being associated with a party that only fields election candidates. He criticized both former President Muhammadu Buhari and Tinubu for managing the country’s affairs without consulting party leadership, undermining democratic principles over the past nine years.
He argued that Nigeria’s democracy should not be confined to the whims of individual leaders, regardless of their power, and called for national mobilization to create an alternative democratic platform. Lukman encouraged belief in the possibility of establishing a politically viable and genuinely democratic alternative to challenge the APC’s current leadership.
Lukman highlighted the importance of democracy’s freedom for political contest and stressed that Nigerians must convey to Tinubu and the APC leadership that the country’s democracy needs to evolve beyond superficial elections producing authoritarian leaders. He called for mobilization against dishonest politicians who manipulate their way to power, advocating for a functional political party with committed leaders who adhere to negotiated agreements regulating elected representatives’ conduct.
He further criticized the APC governments’ lack of commitment to social democracy and the pervasive “business-as-usual” approach since 2015. Lukman warned that the nation is on the brink of social unrest due to worsening corruption, insecurity, and economic crises. He also cautioned against any further increase in fuel prices, accusing President Tinubu of reintroducing full subsidy through the back door and living in denial about the situation.
