A former national Vice Chairman (North West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has written to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.
In the letter, Lukman urged Obasanjo to rally former Nigerian leaders, including General Yakubu Gowon, General Ibrahim Babangida, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari, to form a strong political coalition.
Lukman expressed deep concerns about the failure of opposition leaders to unite under a single political platform due to personal ambitions.
He specifically mentioned that certain former governors are resisting unity efforts because of their desire to contest elections in the upcoming cycle.
Lukman, who previously served as the Director-General of the APC’s Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), believes these divisions are hindering efforts to build a formidable opposition to the ruling APC.
The letter emphasized the collective responsibility of past Nigerian leaders in shaping the current state of the nation and its political landscape.
Lukman criticized the historical practice of manipulating political successions, describing it as a recurring issue that exacerbates Nigeria’s socio-economic and political crises.
He referred to these manipulated successions as a factor in producing “Satanic leaders” who, according to Lukman, have contributed to the country’s persistent problems.
Lukman called for a political re-engineering, advocating for the creation of a party capable of producing leaders with “Godly” qualities who can bring about positive change.
He expressed frustration that some opposition figures are putting their personal ambitions ahead of the country’s collective progress.
Lukman cited the actions of three former state governors and a group linked to one of the legacy parties that merged to form the APC.
These groups, he said, are already drawing up a leadership lineup for a potential opposition party, which further complicates efforts at unification.
Lukman pointed out that this faction has already selected their so-called governorship candidates in various states, signaling their intention to push forward with their own political agenda.
He warned that this fragmented approach is damaging the opposition’s chances of presenting a unified front in the 2027 presidential election.
According to Lukman, the resistance to a united political platform, especially among those with subsidiary ambitions, is a major barrier to the formation of a viable alternative to the APC.
He noted that unless opposition leaders set aside their personal aspirations, it will be impossible to form a strong coalition capable of challenging the ruling party.
Lukman’s letter underscores the urgency of a political shift and highlights the pivotal role of past Nigerian leaders in guiding the country towards a more stable future.
With the 2027 election fast approaching, Lukman’s appeal for unity among opposition leaders takes on greater significance in light of the country’s political turmoil.
Lukman’s call for a political re-engineering aims to address the deep-rooted issues of Nigeria’s leadership and governance, offering a vision of change for the future.
The former APC vice chair believes that only through unity and selflessness can Nigeria overcome its current challenges and produce leaders capable of fostering national growth.
