Former National Vice Chairman, North-West, of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has expressed concern over the growing despondency in Nigeria, urging political leaders to unite against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Lukman emphasized the need for prominent figures such as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Peter Obi, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to rise above their political ambitions and form a united front to transform Nigeria’s democracy.

Lukman questioned, “Why shouldn’t they aspire to register their name as political leaders who were able to rise to the occasion in Nigeria’s hour of national need by coming together to forge a united political front, which could transform Nigeria’s democracy and reverse the phenomenon of ‘state capture’ that produced ‘small corrupt groups’ of used ‘government officials’ who are appropriating ‘government decision-making to strengthen their own economic positions’?”

He lamented that due to the advanced stage of ‘state capture’ at the federal level, many political leaders, including leading opposition figures like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Peter Obi, and Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, are operating in isolation.

Lukman noted that APC leaders such as former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola have been marginalized in President Tinubu’s administration, pushing them to the fringes of Nigerian politics.

He added, “Although there are some indicative political activities taking place around some of these political leaders, it has not graduated to the level of commitment to build the kind of strong political parties capable of threatening the APC and President Asiwaju Tinubu, which is needed to guarantee the future of Nigerian democracy.”

Lukman prayed for unity among all patriotic political leaders in Nigeria, across all parties, including those marginalized within the APC. He called for a commitment to building democratic institutions that ensure elected leaders and governments at all levels are accountable to citizens.

Addressing the current hardships faced by Nigerians, Lukman acknowledged attempts by officials in President Tinubu’s government to explain the situation by referencing the poor economy inherited from former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

However, he pointed out that both administrations are APC-led. Lukman argued that the APC rose to popularity due to the failings of the PDP, but the challenges faced today are more severe than those under the PDP in 2015.

“If the truth is to be told, whatever were the failings of PDP in 2015, it was less grievous than what it has become under APC in 2024,” Lukman asserted.