Salihu Lukman, the former National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has openly criticized both the party and two of its most prominent leaders—former President Muhammadu Buhari and current President Bola Tinubu—for allegedly “ruining” Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, Lukman expressed disappointment in the APC’s leadership, declaring that the party has failed to fulfill the promises it made to Nigerians when it came to power in 2015.
Lukman’s remarks come at a time when the country is facing various socio-economic challenges, and his comments have sparked significant political discourse.
The former APC stalwart emphasized that Nigerians need to start thinking about the future, particularly the 2027 elections, as a chance to replace the APC and bring about real change.
In his statement, Lukman lamented that the APC, under both Buhari and Tinubu, has failed to solve Nigeria’s pressing issues, including insecurity, economic hardship, and corruption.
According to him, the state of the nation has worsened significantly since the APC assumed power in 2015, when it promised to bring positive change.
Instead, Lukman argued, things have gotten worse under the current administration.
“The hard truth is that both former President Buhari and President Tinubu have turned out to be self-centred and unable to produce the needed leadership to pull the country out of its current challenges,” Lukman stated.
“Certainly, all of us who were actively in support of these leaders never imagined that they would be such colossal failures.”
Lukman also noted that while the APC campaigned heavily on addressing three key issues—corruption, insecurity, and economic instability—these problems have only intensified.
He pointed out that the promises made by the APC in 2015 to tackle these challenges have not materialized, leaving the country worse off than before.
As Nigeria looks ahead to the next general election in 2027, Lukman believes that the country faces a crucial moment for change.
He stressed that merely replacing the APC with another party will not be enough.
Instead, he urged Nigerians to push for a political system that holds elected officials accountable.
He warned that without a system that can “check” those in power, the problems plaguing Nigeria today will continue regardless of who is in office.
According to him, Nigerians must demand a government that prioritizes the nation’s interests over personal ambitions.
Lukman’s comments reflect a broader sense of frustration among many Nigerians who feel that the country’s political system is not delivering the improvements it promised.
For him, the 2027 elections present a “golden opportunity” to create a system that will ensure political leaders are kept in check.
Opposition Politicians Failing to Unite
Lukman also took aim at the opposition parties, saying that their inability to unite is one of the reasons President Tinubu remains in power despite widespread dissatisfaction with his administration.
He suggested that key opposition figures such as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr Peter Obi, and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso are too focused on their individual ambitions to work together for the greater good.
“Unknown to key political opposition leaders, the strength or confidence of President Tinubu is derived from their inability to open themselves and honestly commence negotiations to build a united front ahead of 2027,” Lukman said.
He added that these opposition leaders, despite agreeing on Tinubu’s poor performance, are not ready to put aside their personal interests to form a strong and united political platform.
He argued that this lack of unity among opposition leaders is preventing them from mounting an effective challenge to the APC.
Challenges Facing Nigeria Under Tinubu’s Administration
Since Bola Tinubu assumed office in 2023, his administration has faced growing criticism.
Many Nigerians believe that the government has not done enough to address the country’s economic crisis, rising insecurity, and corruption.
Inflation remains high, and unemployment is a serious concern.
The country’s currency, the naira, has also struggled, leading to an increase in the cost of living for many Nigerians.
Insecurity remains one of the most significant challenges facing the country, particularly in northern Nigeria, where attacks by insurgent groups have continued.
Lukman noted that while President Buhari and the APC had promised to address these security concerns, they have instead worsened under Tinubu’s leadership.
On corruption, Lukman said that neither Buhari nor Tinubu has been able to fulfill their promises to tackle the issue.
Corruption continues to affect almost every sector of Nigerian life, from the public service to law enforcement.
Despite the efforts of anti-corruption agencies, many Nigerians feel that not enough is being done to hold corrupt officials accountable.
“The big question is whether, on account of personal ambitions, we want to continue to mismanage our reality and sacrifice every opportunity, which ideally a democratic system offers,” Lukman stated.
He called on opposition leaders to put aside their presidential ambitions and focus on building a united platform capable of defeating the APC in 2027.
