Former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Vice Chairman (North-West), Salihu Lukman, has issued a strong warning over Nigeria’s political direction ahead of the 2027 general elections, cautioning that the country risks sliding into a one-sided electoral contest if opposition parties fail to consolidate.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, he stated that the emerging opposition coalition was built around a shared recognition of a potential democratic imbalance that could define the next election cycle.
“We are faced with the present danger. The danger is simply that we may face the 2027 election with one candidate, one party.”
Lukman explained that discussions among opposition leaders had moved beyond informal cooperation. “All along, all we have been trying to do is to ensure that we come up with a new framework in terms of engaging politics, in terms of party politics, and in terms of the process of producing candidates everybody in the opposition has agreed and acknowledged that we are faced with the present danger, we keep saying we have not gotten there, subsequently, the argument has been who will be the candidate.”
He explained that opposition parties have already accepted that there is a real and immediate threat ahead of the 2027 elections. “The danger is simply that we may face the 2027 election with one candidate, one party. To get that removed is to ensure that all the opposition come together and commit themselves to produce a candidate.”
He described ongoing efforts as a deliberate attempt to create a new political framework. “We keep saying we have not gotten there. All along, all we have been trying to do is to ensure that we come up with a new framework in terms of engaging politics, in terms of party politics, and in terms of the process of producing candidates.”
Lukman stressed that the coalition being developed is not designed to elevate one dominant figure above others. “Our leaders are committed to ensure that if we produce the next government, it is not going to be like an emperor presiding over an empire which he controls. There will be a collegiate, a team spirit whereby all decisions will be taken.”
He further explained that the proposed system would ensure that leadership is shared in a coordinated manner. “Now, part of the thing that we also want to do, which now all the court cases are slowing us down, is to ensure that we put in place a process whereby the screening of candidates follow a particular framework that will ensure that the best and the most acceptable to the citizens will emerge, There will be a collegiate, a team spirit whereby all decisions will be taken.”
Part of the reform effort, he noted, has been slowed by ongoing legal disputes. “Now, part of the thing that we also want to do, which now all the court cases are slowing us down, is to ensure that we put in place a process whereby the screening of candidates follow a particular framework that will ensure that the best and the most acceptable to the citizens will emerge, Now, I believe we will still achieve that. Sincerely speaking, Nigerians are all waiting for us. Give Nigerians the best.”
He maintained that despite internal disagreements and competing ambitions within opposition circles, there is growing convergence around the idea of unity. “I think it is quite hard to see that we are able to make progress to get to where we are now sincerely speaking, I think we have made progress.”
Lukman also extended his criticism to the ruling All Progressives Congress, recalling his own role in its formation and expressing disappointment. “Ican give you an idea. The manifesto is all about ensuring citizen-centred governance, whereby all the issues that come between confronting Nigerians, we have answers to them now, I think we must move forward with confidence.
I mean, I don’t know, when my friends talk about individuals, it’s a concern of individuals, but individuals who are from political parties organised by the law and if he failed to organise that, he’s just deceiving himself and frankly speaking, where we are today as a nation, I mean, everybody is aggrieved. I mean, I for one, I can tell you, I feel disappointed having been part of the founding members of the APC and knowing the vision that pushed us to form the APC. To see where APC is today is quite disappointing for instance, they talk of consensus. By now, if you do a check, you find out that all the consensus they have done across the states have collapsed. “By now, if you do a check, you find out that all the consensus they have done across the states have collapsed.”
He argued that both the ruling party and opposition blocs are experiencing internal contradictions. “Politics is about contestation and we are ready to confront the situation as it is, everybody is aggrieved so when you talk about the crisis in the opposition party, the ruling party is also faced with this one internal contradiction, which is producing the kind of discomfort that will lead to be a crisis that they may not have foreseen, And we believe Nigerian people will make the right choice at the end of the day,” he said.
He reaffirmed that the coalition initiative is not aimed at personal ambition. “We are going to put up a new framework that almost everybody has agreed to it by now, that that new framework is about having a collegiate system.”
Lukman explained the success or failure of the opposition coalition. “To get that removed is to ensure that all the opposition come together and commit themselves to produce a candidate. Now, I think we must move forward with confidence.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
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