Former National Vice Chairman (North-West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Moh. Lukman, has warned that the personal ambitions of leading opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, could pave the way for an easy victory for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
Speaking on Arise News and later on Channels Television, Lukman expressed concern that opposition parties are repeating the same mistakes that weakened their chances in the 2023 elections.
According to him, legal victories and political alliances will mean little if opposition leaders fail to unite behind a common goal.
“We are going back to 2023, repeating almost the same things that happened in 2023 and expecting a miracle to happen,” Lukman said.
The former APC chieftain lamented that Nigeria currently lacks a strong opposition capable of holding the ruling party accountable, adding that the country’s political situation continues to deteriorate.
“We are all troubled by the fact that here we are boxed with an APC government and an elected leadership that is hardly accountable, and by the day, by the hour, things keep getting worse,” he stated.
Lukman urged opposition leaders to place Nigeria’s future above their individual presidential ambitions.
“Is the personal ambition of leaders in the opposition far more important than the destiny of rescuing the country? This country is bigger than all of them,” he said.
Although he reiterated his desire to see the APC defeated in 2027, Lukman admitted he is increasingly frustrated by the opposition’s inability to present a united front.
“I want APC and President Tinubu defeated in 2027, but the way we are going about it, I am frustrated,” he declared.
The founding member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) also revealed that he recently suspended his membership of the party to engage in wider political consultations aimed at encouraging opposition leaders to return to the negotiating table.
Lukman argued that the ruling party’s confidence is largely fuelled by the opposition’s divisions.
“The arrogance of the APC today is largely because the opposition has failed to present a united front capable of challenging the ruling party,” he said.
He warned that if opposition parties remain divided, the 2027 election could become a mere formality rather than a genuine contest.
“I would say that 2027 will be more of a coronation than an election,” Lukman stated.
He also criticised the implementation of key economic reforms under the current administration, arguing that many Nigerians are still struggling with inflation, rising food prices and economic hardship.
Lukman concluded by appealing to opposition leaders to negotiate, make personal sacrifices and rally behind a single presidential candidate capable of offering Nigerians a credible alternative in 2027.
“Opposition leaders must prove that they love Nigeria more than their personal ambitions. They should negotiate, unite and present one credible candidate Nigerians can rally behind in 2027,” he said.
