A former National Vice Chairman (North-West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Moh. Lukman has warned that divisions and personal ambitions among opposition leaders could secure an easy victory for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Arise News and Channels Television, Lukman said the opposition risks repeating the mistakes of the 2023 elections by failing to unite behind a single candidate. He stressed that ongoing fragmentation among key figures, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, weakens their chances of mounting a credible challenge.
Lukman, now aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said legal victories, such as the recent Court of Appeal ruling that reinstated the party, would have little impact without political cohesion.
“We are heading towards a repeat of 2023 and expecting a different result,” he said, warning that the current trajectory could make the 2027 election “more of a coronation than a contest.”
He expressed concern over worsening economic conditions and governance under the APC but argued that the absence of a strong opposition leaves Nigerians with limited alternatives. According to him, the ruling party’s confidence is largely driven by the opposition’s failure to present a united front.
Lukman revealed he recently suspended his membership in the ADC to engage in broader consultations aimed at building a coalition capable of challenging the APC. He said discussions among political actors are ongoing to push opposition leaders back to the negotiating table.
He also cautioned that continued disunity could deepen voter apathy and reduce trust in the electoral process. “If Nigerians believe outcomes are predetermined, participation will drop and the election loses credibility,” he noted.
On leadership, Lukman urged opposition figures to prioritize national interest over personal ambition and rally behind a single credible candidate. He dismissed regional considerations, insisting that competence and accountability should guide candidate selection.
Reflecting on his role in forming the APC, Lukman said the party had drifted from its founding ideals. He also criticized recent economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate changes, arguing that they have worsened hardship without adequate relief measures.
He concluded with a call for unity: “Opposition leaders must prove they love Nigeria more than their ambitions by coming together to offer a credible alternative in 2027.”
