2027: For Tinubu to be defeated, Atiku, Obi must drop personal ambition, present one credible candidate – Lukman

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A former National Vice Chairman (North-West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Mohammed Lukman, has warned that the opposition’s inability to unite behind a common candidate could hand President Bola Tinubu and the ruling party an easy victory in the 2027 general election.

Lukman, who has consistently advocated a united opposition front involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and other opposition leaders, expressed concern that political actors are repeating the same mistakes that divided the opposition ahead of the 2023 election.

Speaking on Arise News Morning Show on Friday, the founding chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) said recent legal victories, including the Court of Appeal judgment nullifying a Federal High Court order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC and four other political parties, would amount to little without genuine political unity.

“As a Nigerian, I am not excited by all this development because if you recall, as an advocate of the coalition and the unity of the opposition leaders when we started about two years ago, the objectives were basically two: to get the opposition leaders united and to also factor the need to build a party that can hold elected leaders accountable,” Lukman said.

He warned that the opposition appeared set to repeat the same fragmented approach adopted in 2023 while expecting a different outcome.

“As it is today, I think no matter what comes out of the judicial process, we can have a party that can contest the election, but I see us going back to 2023, repeating almost the same things that happened in 2023 and expecting a miracle to happen.”

Lukman lamented the current state of governance under the APC, arguing that Nigerians were being denied a credible alternative because of the opposition’s internal divisions.

“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 said.

He challenged opposition leaders to place Nigeria’s future above their personal ambitions.

“We must pose a question: Is the personal ambition of leaders in the opposition far more important than the destiny of rescuing the country? Are the opposition leaders unable to approach this challenge with the need to make personal sacrifices so they can unite and confront this election?”

Expressing frustration over the situation, Lukman declared:

“I want APC and President Tinubu defeated out of government in 2027, but the way we are going about it, I am frustrated.”

He also revealed that he had suspended his membership of the ADC about two weeks ago to enable him engage in wider consultations aimed at fostering opposition unity.

“Partisan affiliation will not get us out of this mess that we are facing now,” he said.

According to him, the APC’s confidence stems partly from the opposition’s weakness.

“Part of the arrogance and the audacity of APC leaders and President Tinubu is also the weakness of the opposition.”

Lukman disclosed that consultations were already underway among political stakeholders to persuade opposition leaders to return to the negotiation table and agree on a common strategy for 2027.

“Many of us as politicians and patriotic Nigerians are committed to starting a new round of engagement with the aim of forcing the opposition leadership to come back to the negotiation table and negotiate a deal that is not about their personal ambition. This country is bigger than all of them.”

On zoning, he argued that competence and accountability should take precedence over regional considerations.

> “Whether you bring somebody from the South who is unaccountable, it is not going to please me. So long as they present a better form of leadership, are accountable to citizens and have a listening ear, I will support that.”

Lukman also raised concerns about Nigeria’s electoral process, insisting that INEC must demonstrate its independence through its conduct rather than relying on assurances from political leaders.

> “INEC should be the one to prove to Nigerians that they are neutral.”

He further advocated a less militarised electoral process similar to what obtains in countries such as Ghana.

Later on Friday, during an appearance on Channels Television, Lukman repeated his warning, saying the 2027 election could become “more of a coronation than an election” if the opposition failed to unite.

“You don’t need a poll to know Nigerians are suffering. The reality is reflected in the daily lives of citizens,” he said.

He lamented that nearly two years of coalition talks had failed to produce a united opposition platform and warned that continued disunity would further embolden the ruling APC.

According to him, low public confidence in the electoral process could also worsen voter apathy.

“If people begin to believe the outcome is predetermined, voter apathy will increase and the election may simply become a coronation.”

Reflecting on the formation of the APC in 2013, Lukman admitted that the party had departed from its founding progressive ideals.

He also criticised the implementation of major economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange liberalisation, arguing that they were introduced without adequate measures to cushion their impact on Nigerians.

Lukman concluded by urging opposition leaders to put national interest above personal ambition and unite behind a single presidential candidate capable of offering Nigerians a credible alternative in 2027.

“My appeal is simple. 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.”