Salihu Moh. Lukman, the former National Vice Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Northwest Nigeria, has expressed his worries about the absence of effective political parties in Nigeria’s democracy. He believes this situation poses serious risks for the country and its citizens.
In a statement on Monday, October 7, Lukman highlighted a common feeling among the public that it is nearly impossible to find leaders who can help Nigeria overcome its current difficulties.
He pointed out that many current opposition leaders have been part of the political system that has contributed to the nation’s challenges.
He remarked, “While former President Goodluck Jonathan faced criticism, former President Buhari has proven to be worse, failing to meet the expectations of Nigerians. Now, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appears to be exacerbating these issues. In less than two years, President Tinubu has made life increasingly unbearable for Nigerians in a way not seen in the country’s history.”
Lukman emphasized that President Tinubu has created a paradox as an elected leader who has weakened his own party.
He suggested that under his leadership, all political parties in Nigeria have also suffered, leading to a situation where the country is seen as a democracy without functioning political parties.
He urged that the campaign to improve Nigeria should not only aim to defeat the APC and President Tinubu in the 2027 elections. Instead, it should focus on a thoughtful vision for the country’s future.
Lukman cautioned that if the aim is merely to create a new party that runs candidates for various positions—from President to local assembly—Nigerians might end up with an opposition that is weak and similar to the existing parties like the APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
He stressed the importance of opposition leaders showing a strong commitment to moving away from destructive practices that turn political parties into mere platforms for elections.
“The best way to do this is to ensure that the leaders of the new opposition party are genuine members of the opposition, not mere surrogates. This would require that key figures, such as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Peter Obi, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, take on important leadership roles. Additionally, former leaders from the APC, like Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, should also play a role in building a new political opposition party.
“The leadership profile of the new opposition party will determine whether the goal is merely to win elections or to create a strong party capable of holding elected representatives accountable. If frontline opposition figures are excluded, it signals a continuation of the status quo, similar to what we’ve seen with the APC, where key issues related to party funding remain unaddressed,” he concluded.
