A key figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Salihu Lukman, has said whoever flies the coalition’s ticket in the 2027 election must earn it by winning the primary election.
He also disclosed that the party would avoid the mistakes made in the past election by former vice president Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, among others, who are willing to contest for the party ticket.
When he appeared Tuesday morning on Channels TV, Lukman, a former National Vice Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), also appealed to supporters of various presidential aspirants to join hands with the Coalition to rescue Nigeria.
According to him, once the opposition leaders are divided, if by 2027 we present more than one candidate, it’s as much as granting victory to the APC and President Asiwaju. So as much as possible, we must keep the opposition together, and keeping the opposition together is not about asking anybody to step down.
“And I appeal to the obedient and other groups to understand that the ADC and the coalition are the home for them. And they should come, so 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 past shortcomings.
“So also, any other, if it is Atiku Abubakar that emerges, for instance, we will support and strengthen him so that he doesn’t repeat the mistake of former President Buhari.
“So I think these are issues which, as citizens, as Nigerians, we must be sincere in engaging them if we are going to move this country forward. This is the kind of debate we want to have in ADC. Everybody will slog it out in the presidential primary, apparently,” he said.
Lukman said the debate within the ADC and the coalition will consider everyone and ensure that the factor of equity is adequately addressed so that Nigerians will see there is a new party that respects the interests of every party member and will accommodate everyone.
He, however, declared that currently there is no discussion about a presidential candidate in the Coalition.
“Let me be very clear on this: There has been no discussion about the question of the presidential candidate in the coalition until now. And our position is basically whoever, and that is the first test of whether we’ll be different from the existing parties; whoever will be the candidate of the ADC must win the primary.
“It’s the first test of whether those aspiring are in the first place, democrats or not. This is the issue we are engaging all of them with. And the other test we are putting to all of them is that their ambition must exceed their expectations. It has to factor in 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 honest about where the government 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. It’s not, I mean, leaders must earn their trust. So, the best way leaders can gain confidence is to show humility and that they are ready to subordinate themselves to the wishes of party members.
“Coming from APC, we are in a situation where we trusted leaders, and they have made evident errors today. Look at what is happening in the 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 always to subordinate himself to party members, always seeking clearance regarding their actions. That is the kind of template that we are looking for. And as Nigerians, we must resist the temptation of setting up leaders so that they become very arrogant, believing it is either them or nothing.
“And that is the kind of negotiation within the Coalition. And it’s a complicated negotiation, I must confess, but we are very confident that we will succeed in presenting a familiar candidate in the end, “Lukman added.
