A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Salihu Lukman, says he suspended his membership of the party about two weeks ago out of frustration, stressing that Nigeria’s current challenges require a united opposition rather than partisan politics.
Lukman, however, said he was willing to retain or return to the ADC if it would help unite opposition leaders and strengthen efforts to present a credible alternative to Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE NEWS monitored by The News Chronicle, Lukman said he was not speaking on behalf of the ADC, insisting that the country’s interest should take precedence over party affiliations.
He explained that his decision to suspend his membership stemmed from growing disappointment over the inability of opposition leaders to rise above personal ambitions despite the country’s worsening situation.
Lukman said he would support efforts to reunite leaders within the ADC if doing so would strengthen the opposition and improve its chances of offering Nigerians a credible platform in 2027.
The former Director-General of the Progressives Governors Forum lamented that the opposition’s coalition drive had been undermined by the personal ambitions of political leaders.
He recalled serving as secretary of a 50-member ADC committee that developed policy proposals for the party but expressed disappointment that the recommendations had yet to translate into meaningful political action.
Lukman argued that beyond producing policy documents and manifestos, political parties must ensure that elected officials are held accountable for implementing their campaign promises.
He warned that Nigerians were increasingly losing confidence in both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition.
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“Nigerians are confronted with the choice between the devil and the deep blue sea. Yes, President Bola Tinubu and the APC have, for all intents and purposes, messed up. But the confidence with which we can say our own leaders are better is also weak,” he said.
Lukman maintained that if the 2027 elections were to produce leadership capable of addressing the country’s challenges, opposition parties must begin fresh negotiations and build a united front.
He also blamed what he described as the APC’s growing confidence on the weakness and disunity within the opposition.
Despite his frustrations, Lukman said consultations were ongoing among key stakeholders and expressed optimism that a clearer direction for the opposition would emerge within the next week.
