Former APC National Vice Chairman (North-west), Salihu Lukman, has asserted that President Bola Tinubu’s recent actions suggest he has no intention of seeking a second term as Nigeria’s leader. Lukman criticized both Tinubu and the APC, accusing them of steering towards electoral defeat in the 2027 presidential elections, urging Nigerians to ensure they face this consequence.
In a statement on Thursday following the removal of Senator Ali Ndume as Chief Whip of the Senate, Lukman argued this move demonstrated the administration’s aversion to criticism. He likened the governance style under Tinubu to past dictatorial regimes, particularly citing parallels with the era of General Sani Abacha.
Lukman’s statement, titled “Fanatical Mindset,” lamented threats to free speech and encroachment on personal liberties under the current regime. He criticized the Senate for allowing its independence to be undermined and questioned the legality of Ndume’s removal based on a directive from APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, highlighting constitutional violations within the APC.
Reflecting on Tinubu’s presidency, Lukman remarked, “It is almost as if President Asiwaju Tinubu has resolved that he will only be a one-term President.” He criticized the worsening living conditions in Nigeria and accused the government of becoming increasingly intolerant to criticism instead of addressing national challenges with clear plans.
Asserting the principles of democracy, Lukman argued that any system unable to accommodate criticism or uphold fair hearings verges on dictatorship. He condemned the APC’s internal dynamics, describing them as self-destructive and calling for patriotic Nigerians to ensure their electoral defeat in 2027.
