Salihu Lukman, the former National Vice Chairman (North-West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has urged Nigerians to vote out the ruling party in the 2027 general elections. Lukman, once a prominent figure within the APC, issued this call in a statement released in Abuja, accusing both the party and its leadership of failing the country and plunging it into deeper political and economic crises.
Lukman specifically called out former President Muhammadu Buhari and current President Bola Tinubu for their roles in what he described as the party’s catastrophic governance. According to him, the APC, which swept into power in 2015 with promises to tackle corruption, improve security, and revive the economy, has instead exacerbated these issues, leaving the country in worse condition than it found it.
Reflecting on the APC’s performance since its ascension to power in 2015, Lukman lamented how the party had promised to bring about significant reforms but had ultimately failed to deliver. “From the economy to problems of insecurity and corruption, which were the three cardinal challenges APC and former President Muhammadu Buhari promised to tackle in 2015, what we had in 2015 is a child’s play today,” he stated.
Lukman stressed that while voting out the APC in 2027 was essential, it would not be sufficient to fix the myriad of problems the party had created. He urged Nigerians to work towards the establishment of a new political system that would not only replace the APC but also hold future leaders accountable.
“Replacing the APC will not be enough to remedy all the ills the party and its leadership have caused,” Lukman warned. He advocated for a political system that would empower citizens to regulate and check elected officials, particularly the president, to prevent any government from becoming as entrenched and ineffective as the APC-led administration.
The former APC chieftain did not spare the opposition parties, criticizing them for failing to unite in the face of the APC’s weaknesses. According to Lukman, key opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have been unable to set aside personal ambitions to form a formidable coalition capable of challenging the ruling party in 2027.
“Unknown to key political opposition leaders, the strength or confidence of President Tinubu is derived from their inability to open themselves and honestly commence negotiations to build a united front ahead of 2027,” Lukman said.
He expressed disappointment in the failure of these leaders to initiate meaningful discussions that could pave the way for a unified opposition. “While they all agree that President Tinubu’s performance has been disastrous, their agreement falls short of making them accept to work together towards building a common platform capable of mobilizing and uniting Nigerians towards defeating President Tinubu and APC in 2027,” he added.
Beyond criticizing the current opposition leadership, Lukman urged Nigerians to look towards a new generation of political leaders. He mentioned the likes of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, ex-Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola, among others, as potential figures who could chart a new course for the country.
However, he was quick to caution that Nigerians should not just aim to defeat the APC but should focus on establishing a truly democratic system that is responsive to the needs of the people.
“For that to be achieved requires the emergence of a strong political party that can regulate and direct the conduct of all elected representatives, especially the President of the Federal Republic,” Lukman explained.
