A former National Vice Chairman (North-west) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has expressed concerns that President Bola Tinubu’s actions indicate a lack of interest in seeking a second term as Nigeria’s leader.
In a statement on Thursday, Lukman suggested that both President Tinubu and the APC are on a path that could lead to their defeat in the 2027 presidential elections.
Lukman’s comments were made in the context of the removal of Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, from his position as the Chief Whip of the Senate.
He argued that this move exemplifies the administration’s intolerance of criticism and likened the current political climate to the dictatorial governance seen during the regime of the late General Sani Abacha.
Lukman criticized the encroachment on free speech and personal liberties, stating that the removal of Ndume, based on a letter from APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, was illegal and undermined the Senate’s independence.
He emphasized that there is no provision in the APC Constitution that allows the National Chairman, National Secretary, or any official to unilaterally remove a principal officer of the National Assembly.
He voiced concerns over the deteriorating living conditions of Nigerians under Tinubu’s administration and called for the development of clear plans to address the situation instead of suppressing criticism. Lukman warned that a democracy that cannot accommodate criticism and fair hearing is akin to a dictatorship.
Lukman concluded by asserting that if the APC and Tinubu’s administration continue on their current path, patriotic Nigerians must work to ensure their defeat in the 2027 elections, likening their approach to a declaration of ending their tenure in 2027.