In a scathing critique of the current political landscape in Nigeria, Salihu Moh. Lukman, former national vice chairman of the APC, has unleashed a blistering attack on key figures within the ruling party, calling out President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; the National Security Adviser, Mal. Nuhu Ribadu and other Northern politicians for their alleged failures and highlighting the urgent need for a new political paradigm in the country.
Lukman’s criticism, detailed in an extensive opinion piece also published by Meteor, paints a grim picture of Northern Nigeria under President Tinubu’s leadership, accusing him of exacerbating divisions among Northern leaders and marginalizing the North-Central region in national politics.
He lamented, “Partly, on account of lack of unity among leaders in the North, President Asiwaju Tinubu has marginalised the people of North-Central in the political leadership of the country.
“It is quite depressing that President Asiwaju Tinubu could marginalise the people of North-Central in the manner he did without leaders in the North showing any concern. In addition to marginalising the people of North-Central, he imposed Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje from North-West as National Chairman of APC, which is the ruling party.”
The former APC leader did not mince words when addressing the appointment of Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as the National Chairman of the APC, describing it as a move fraught with corruption allegations and detrimental political implications.
Lukman criticised Tinubu for overlooking more qualified leaders within the North-West and for contributing to the destabilisation of Kano State’s political landscape.
He wrote, “Out of all the political leaders of North-West, he finds no one who is better qualified but Dr Ganduje with all the baggage of corruption allegations and poor political relations with other leaders in Kano State, including the Kano State Government.
Partly, because of the poor relations between Dr Ganduje and the Kano State Government, the revered Kano Emirate Council has been plunged into avoidable crisis with no end in sight and President Asiwaju Tinubu is pretending to be uninterested.”
Moreover, Lukman lambasted the state of governance under Tinubu’s administration, decrying the ineffective and self-serving leadership that has plagued Northern politicians.
He accused many in the current government of being “absentee public servants,” lamenting their lack of initiative and accountability amidst deteriorating living conditions across the country.
He wrote, “With every respect, hardly any official of the current administration of President Asiwaju Tinubu from the North, including Sen. Shettima, is willing and able to take the needed risk to defend the interest of the North. Painfully, what is emerging is that most leaders from the North are more concern about self-preservation in the government.
“Because of self-preservation, already scheming for 2027 has commenced. Within the Presidency there are indicative cold war dynamics and positioning, which is alleged to be responsible for the praise-singing disposition of Vice President Shettima.
“The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mal. Nuhu Ribadu has devalued an exalted office almost to the status of a Protocol Office to President Asiwaju Tinubu.”
Highlighting the broader implications of Tinubu’s leadership style, Lukman pointed out the pervasive atmosphere of fear and demobilisation within Nigeria’s political parties.
He warned that the lack of cohesive political strategy and the prevalence of personal ambitions over national interests have led to a crisis of leadership that threatens the stability of the entire nation.
“Developing frontiers of political organisations based on the ambitions of former President Buhari and President Asiwaju Tinubu has only produced the current monstrous reality of electing emperors and overloads who are succeeding in disintegrating the foundation of Nigerian democracy,”
Lukman asserted, emphasising the urgent need for a new approach to political organisation that prioritises accountability and national development.
The former APC vice chairman also drew attention to the escalating insecurity in Northern Nigeria, describing it as a ticking time bomb fuelled by poverty, unemployment, and economic collapse.
Lukman cautioned that unless drastic measures are taken to address these fundamental issues, the explosive situation in the North could spill over into other regions, further destabilising the country.
In a passionate plea, Lukman called on Nigerian politicians, especially those from the North, to rise above personal interests and work towards establishing a new frontier of political organisation.
He wrote, “So long as political leaders are not willing to take the needed responsibility to start organising the new frontier of political organisation, which can hold elected leaders accountable based on which they are able to respond to societal and national challenges, our democracy will continue to produce emperors and overloads and our challenges will continue to get worse.”
He stressed the importance of leadership that is willing to make sacrifices for the greater good and advocated for a political framework that holds elected officials accountable for their actions.
“May God Almighty touch the hearts of all our political leaders in the country,” Lukman concluded, invoking a call for unity and reform within Nigeria’s political landscape.
“He urged patriotic Nigerians across the country to join in the effort to create a new generation of accountable and responsive political leaders capable of steering Nigeria towards a brighter future,” he said.
