A former National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has declared that he no longer has confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
Speaking yesterday during an appearance on ‘Inside Sources’ with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television, he said he does not believe Tinubu will achieve anything meaningful before the end of his term in May 2027.
Lukman reflected on his earlier support for Tinubu and admitted he had realised that the President was not the progressive leader he once believed him to be.
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He also noted that Tinubu is governing Nigeria in a completely different manner compared to how he led Lagos State between 1999 and 2007.
“For you to even expect something very wonderful to happen before May 2027, I will say you are a dreamer. I wish you luck in your dream, but if it happens, it will be a pleasant surprise,” Lukman said.
He added: “For me, I have reached the conclusion that I don’t think anything good is going to come out, which is why we have to start organising. I have said so — this country can be fixed in our lifetime, and I pray to God to give us the strength and courage to engage our leaders.”
Lukman explained that he withheld his withdrawal of support until July 2024, noting that Tinubu had since insulated himself from the party and the people, making it nearly impossible for anyone, including APC members, to access him.
The former APC chieftain said he had initially hoped that Tinubu would correct the mistakes of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.
However, according to him, Tinubu’s shortcomings have ironically made Buhari appear like a hero by comparison.
Lukman also stressed the importance of building a strong and principled foundation for the new coalition currently being formed, warning that a repeat of the APC’s mistakes must be avoided.
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“If having gone through the APC and failed, we now organise another coalition that becomes business as usual, then we have failed Nigerians again. That is why, during this initial negotiation, we are taking time to engage properly. We owe it to Nigerians, and I am telling Nigerians that it is possible to fix this country in our lifetime,” he said.
Lukman stated that the APC’s failure stemmed from sacrificing the party’s ideals, an error he insisted must not be repeated in the emerging political coalition.
