Salihu Lukman dumps APC, says party’s idea no longer progressives

Salihu Lukman, a former vice-chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the north-west, has resigned as a member of the ruling party.

Last year, Lukman resigned from his position as a member of the national working committee (NWC) of the APC.

He said, “the party is completely at variance with the founding vision of forming a progressive party”.

Before this, he had also resigned as the director-general of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) in 2022.

In a statement on Wednesday, Lukman said his membership in the APC has been rendered useless.

He noted that his decision was based on the lack of internal democracy and the inability of the leadership of the APC to allow reforms within the party.

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“Given all this, it is possible to remain in APC if, at all, President Tinubu will allow internal reform in the party to return it to its founding vision, which, as it is, is very remote. But my reality now in the party is that my membership has been rendered useless, and there is no need for me to continue to impose myself,” the statement reads.

“I have therefore gone back to the trenches and will try to work with all committed Nigerians who agree and subscribe to the goal of actively campaigning for the survival and development of democracy in Nigeria.

“We must grow our democracy to the point whereby elected representatives at all levels are accountable to the party, and it is possible for Nigerians represented by various interests to develop strong relationships with political parties and elected governments based on which policies of governments can be made to reflect the wider interests of Nigerians.

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“I am confident that a strong democracy with functional political parties is possible in Nigeria. I am also confident that, in our lifetime, we can produce governments that are truly capable of making the lives of Nigerians better. I don’t expect party leaders will agree with my decision. I believe that eventually, we will be united with all party leaders and other Nigerians who are committed to developing Nigerian democracy.”