Former Director General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) and a key figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Salihu Lukman, has declared that whoever emerge as the presidential candidate of the coalition in 2027 election must win the primary election.
Lukman also disclosed that the party will avoid mistakes made in the past election by both former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, among others willing to contest for the ticket of the party.
Speaking on a Channels TV’s programme on Tuesday, Lukman, a former National Vice Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), also appealed to all supporters of various presidential aspirants to join hands with the coalition to rescue Nigeria.
According to him, once the opposition leaders get divided in 2027 by presenting more than one candidate, it will grant victory to the APC and President Bola Tinubu.
“As much as possible, we must keep the opposition together, and in keeping the opposition together, it’s not about asking anybody to step down.
“And I appeal to the Obidients and other groups, to really understand that the ADC and the coalition is the home for them. And they should come and let’s build ourselves together. If Peter Obi emerges as the presidential candidate of ADC, we will all support him and strengthen him to overcome the shortcomings of the past.
“Also, if it is Atiku Abubakar or any other that emerge for instance, we will support and strengthen him in such a way that he doesn’t repeat the mistake of former President (Muhammadu) Buhari.”
He said the debate within the ADC and the coalition will ensure that the factor of equity is properly addressed for Nigerians to see a new party that respects the interests of every party member and is accommodating to everyone.
Lukman however, clarified that there is no ongoing discussion about presidential candidate in the coalition party.
“Let me be very clear on this, there is no discussion about the question of presidential candidate in the coalition up to this moment. And our position is basically, and that is the first test of whether we’ll be different from the existing parties or not, that whoever will be the candidate of the ADC must win the primary.
“And the other test, which we are putting to all of them is that their ambition must go beyond their personal expectation. It has to factor the reality facing the country.
“They have to come ready to be able to make the needed sacrifice to move this country forward. As it is, we have to be very, very honest, where the country is, it’s not simply about presenting candidates.
“I always put forward to them that, look, as far as I’m concerned, it’s not a question of trusting leaders, you know. It’s not, I mean, leaders must earn their trust. So the best way leaders can earn trust is to be able to show humility that they are ready to subordinate themselves to the wishes of members of the party.”
He added that coming from APC, they had a situation where members trusted leaders who ended up becoming emperors. “Look at what is happening in APC. Everywhere you hear ‘On your mandate, on your mandate, on your mandate,’ I’m not going to stand on anybody’s mandate.
“We want the person to always subordinate himself to members of the party, always seeking to get clearance in terms of what they are doing. That is the kind of template that we are looking for. And I think as Nigerians, we must resist the temptation of setting up leaders in a way that they become very arrogant, believing that it is either them or nothing.”
Lukman stressed that this was the kind of ongoing negotiation within the coalition which he acknowledged to be very difficult, but expressed confidence that they party will succeed in presenting a common candidate at the end.
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