Lukman Asks Nigerians to Build a Functional Party for a True Democratic Change in 2027

Salihu Lukman, the former National Vice Chairman, North West, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on Nigerians to rise and work towards the defeat of the ruling party and President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Lukman emphasized the necessity of creating a new political party that adheres to its own rules and promotes internal democracy. He stressed that such a party must be distinct from the APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and other existing registered political parties in the country.

Lukman pointed out that although there is potential for free, fair, and credible elections in 2027, Nigerians risk seeing a continuation of the current political system if a functional and truly democratic party is not formed. He warned that merely defeating the APC and President Tinubu would not be enough if the same undemocratic practices persist in the leadership of a new party.

“The expectations for free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria may elude Nigerians once more. Or, as was the case in 2015, we could have relatively free, fair, and credible elections in 2027, which may only result in the defeat of APC and President Bola Tinubu, with the attendant danger of retaining the status quo of producing leaders who are emperors,” Lukman stated.

He urged Nigerians to work towards the formation of a new party where leaders emerge through internal competition rather than imposed leadership. Lukman criticized the current system where prospective candidates select party leaders who, in turn, crown them as candidates. He stressed that such practices need to change for a truly democratic leadership to emerge.