A prominent figure in Nigeria’s opposition movement, Salihu Mohammed Lukman, has called for unity and selflessness among members of the emerging coalition using the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Lukman emphasised that the effort to build a credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) must begin with discipline, cooperation, and a departure from old political habits that have crippled progress.
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists alongside some political leaders and stakeholders in Kaduna, Lukman revealed that the coalition initiative, which began over 18 months ago, was motivated by fears of Nigeria slipping into a one-party state.
According to him, unless opposition parties work together, there would be no viable challenge to the APC at both the presidential and state levels in 2027.
He stressed that the agreement to adopt the ADC as the coalition’s vehicle was built on consensus and a shared understanding of the need to overhaul the party, both structurally and ideologically.
Lukman, who was Vice Chairman North-West of the APC before embracing the new party, disclosed that the ADC leadership had agreed to a complete reorganisation of the party, allowing room for new entrants, including prominent political figures and grassroots supporters.
At the national level, he said the ADC now boasts of new leadership, with Senator David Mark as the National Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
He praised this development as evidence of a renewed, inclusive party structure.
However, Lukman warned that the positive strides made nationally must be replicated at the state level, particularly in Kaduna, where internal divisions and selfish politics threaten the coalition’s momentum.
“I am from Kaduna State. What we need now is humility, not ego. We must engage the existing ADC structure and build with them, not displace them. This is not about hijacking a party. We’re here to strengthen it together,” Lukman said.
He added that the party must be strong enough to control its members, including future governors or elected leaders.
He also expressed deep concern about some coalition leaders in Kaduna who are choosing to operate in isolation, selecting whom to relate with and whom to exclude, warning that such attitudes risk replicating the destructive internal politics that led to the downfall of the APC in the state and nationally. “We are seeing disturbing signals that some are not ready to work with others. That is not the way to go,” he said.
Lukman underscored the importance of first embarking on a proper membership drive before discussing leadership structures. According to him, it is wrong to impose leaders before people are even admitted into the party. “If you already have leaders before I join, what am I coming to do?” he asked, urging a bottom-up democratic process instead of elite capture.
He lamented the dire socio-economic situation in Kaduna, highlighting the plight of unpaid retirees, demoralized civil servants, and widespread insecurity that prevents farmers from accessing their lands. He criticized the state government’s focus on distributing fertilizers without addressing the root cause of farmers’ inability to work—security.
“The government has become a joke in the eyes of our people. We must not exploit the anger of citizens toward the APC just to seize power. We must offer genuine leadership and solutions,” Lukman warned, insisting that the opposition must rise above opportunism and present a clear alternative.
He appealed to all political leaders, including former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who he described as an “important stakeholder” in the coalition, to prioritise unity and make the necessary sacrifices to ensure the success of the ADC as a credible force in 2027.
Also speaking, the Kaduna State ADC Chairman, Elder Patrick Ambut cautioned that while the party is open to welcoming new members, it is not a structureless entity.
“We have structures across Kaduna. Anyone coming must knock the door and not attempt to break the house we’ve labored to build,” he said, emphasising mutual respect and cooperation.
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