Salihu Lukman, former National Vice-Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of lacking a feasible economic plan for Nigeria.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Inside Sources, hosted by Laolu Akande, Lukman expressed his dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s leadership style, describing Nigeria’s political environment as a “rollercoaster.” He specifically faulted the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, arguing that these measures were implemented without a comprehensive strategy to boost production or improve citizens’ earnings.

“There was no robust economic plan. That is part of the problem,” Lukman stated.

Lukman also expressed frustration with the president’s perceived inaccessibility, stating that even key members of the APC were unable to reach him. He emphasized that this isolation was a stark contrast to what he had expected from a progressive leader. “It’s as if he has insulated himself, even within the party. Nobody is having access to him, and that is not the kind of progressive leader I thought he was,” Lukman added.

Reflecting on Tinubu’s record as Lagos State governor, Lukman remarked that the president’s current leadership approach was markedly different from his governance in Lagos. “By my own estimation, that was not the way he ran Lagos. I have come to the conclusion that I don’t think anything good is going to come out,” he said.

Despite his criticism, Lukman expressed hope that Nigeria could still be fixed within this generation’s lifetime.

Lukman resigned from the APC in July 2024, citing the party’s departure from its founding progressive ideals. He pointed to issues such as candidate imposition and the marginalization of party members as reasons for the APC’s declining integrity and effectiveness. Following his resignation, Lukman also took legal action against the APC leadership to ensure adherence to the party’s rules.