Former APC National Vice Chairman (North-West), Salihu Lukman, has expressed alarm over what he describes as the ruling party’s drift toward monarchy, accusing it of abandoning democratic principles for automatic endorsements.

Speaking Friday on Channels TV’s The Morning Brief, Lukman—who was instrumental in founding the All Progressives Congress (APC)—criticized the recent wave of unopposed adoptions within the party.

“The APC has moved from a party envisioned to be progressive to almost a monarchy,” he said. “There will be no internal contest in 2027 — the president is adopted. All their governors are adopted. Legislators are also adopted.”

Lukman warned that this erosion of internal party democracy strips the APC of legitimacy as a functional political party and turns it into an endorsement machine.

He revealed that advanced negotiations are ongoing to form a new opposition coalition aimed at delivering a transparent and accountable alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections. The coalition may result in either a new party or the restructuring of an existing one.

“We want to present to Nigerians a new reality that addresses all the frustrations,” Lukman noted. “We want to ensure that internally, winners emerge through contests, and when people win elections, they are accountable to the party.”

He maintained that, despite public denials, some governors are discreetly involved in the coalition efforts. Lukman also confirmed that the PDP bloc remains actively engaged in the coalition’s formation.

His remarks come just a day after APC governors, through the Progressive Governors Forum, unanimously endorsed President Bola Tinubu as the party’s sole 2027 presidential candidate. Senate President Godswill Akpabio went further to declare Tinubu as the preferred candidate for the entire country.

With 2027 fast approaching, Lukman’s comments reflect rising tensions and growing momentum for a unified opposition challenge to the APC-led government.