…Amaechi, Fayemi, Tambuwal, others too

The 2027 general elections are about two years away and the realignment of forces to dislodge the All Progressives Congress (APC) from power, especially at the federal level appears to be on the upswing.

In another development, a former top member of the APC, Alhaji Salihu Lukman, speaks of similar efforts gathering steam. Lukman, a former Deputy National Chairman of the APC (North), in an interview monitored on Arise News, elaborates on his scheme, saying key opposition figures in the country have a role to play as they have to jettison their presidential aspirations ahead of the 2027 and provide leadership for a new political party to confront the APC.

He urges former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who flew the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential flag in the 2023 elections, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the elections, Mr Peter Obi, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, standard bearer, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, to prioritize party building over personal ambitions.

Lukman, who has since quit the APC, also extends the advice to former party members and opposition figures, including Mr Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State but later served as Transportation Minister under the Buhari administration; El-Rufai; Dr. Kayode Fayemi, a former governor of Ekiti State, and Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, a former governor of Sokoto State.

According to Lukman, who was also one-time Director General of the Progressive Governors Forum, if these leaders set aside personal ambitions, it will prevent the imposition of candidates in 2027 and foster a stronger political alternative. Excerpts:

You have been a key member of the APC, now you are saying Nigeria needs better leaders. What are your grievances? What do you think is wrong with the APC that you are asking all the critics and opponents of the administration to come together and push the same party out of power?

What is wrong with the APC is what is wrong with Nigeria in my view, and I think the view of most Nigerians is that our democracy should give something much better than what we have today. I am not making any new proposals.

If you have been following the debate during the merger negotiations that produced the APC, all these arguments have been raised about the kind of leadership a political party should have and what is required for a party to really position itself to direct elected representatives to meet the expectations of citizens. If we argue that APC has failed, the failure of APC is largely due to its inability to meet a number of some of those criteria.

Yes, I was a member of the NWC of the APC, I was part and parcel of the APC from formation to possibly the present day but that does not disqualify some of us from highlighting some of the limitations of the APC and I think in terms of the problem of democracy, what was first the problem of Nigeria with PDP that led to the defeat of PDP in 2015? The major issue is that there was no competition within the party.

The culture of imposition has taken over the party so much so that it is predictable anybody who has close relationship with Abuja, with the Presidency can pick ticket at any level of the party without bothering to contract relationships with other members of the party, and I think that those were some of the issues that we used to campaign against the PDP and made the APC popular and Nigerians trusted us and believed that we were capable of producing a party that could drive the process of changing Nigeria which was the campaign mantra in 2015.

Unfortunately, I am not shy to say that we failed largely because we ended up with another variant of PDP, the culture of imposition took over.

Yes, we fought and this is part of my grievance with President Tínubu. Asiwaju knew very well that we stood up and faced what you call the cabal in the Presidency under former President Buhari and ensured that a level-playing field was provided within the party which enabled him to win the ticket and become the presidential candidate of the party.

So, having done that, our expectation was that we return the party to its founding vision and begin to build a party that can now implement all the campaign promises and direct all elected representatives but instead, what we see is that a more superior variant of imposition took over so much so that the party became a parastatal of the Presidency, and of the government.

Leadership of the party cannot say anything contrary to what the President wants and so long as that is the case, we can’t make progress. Now, coming back to some of the issues which you highlighted which I raised in the last piece, is basically like an appeal to our opposition leaders (Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, Amaechi, Fayemi, El-Rufai, Tambuwal, among others) because if we continue to play politics the old way, then Nigeria is not going to get any better. We are not going to produce better leaders.

We will produce a new set of leaders which may continue the practice of imposition and become emperors so much so that everybody is now rushing to them to access favours in government and what have you and that is not what democracy should be about. I think one of the most important things that came out of the conference that was held last week was the statement by the former Vice President of Ghana and also a former presidential candidate.

He made the point that politicians must be able to subordinate their personal ambition to the bigger interest of the country and I think that is where we are today and, as far as I’m concerned, if that is the case and several time, I hear people lamenting about how in the Second Republic we had an NPN (National Party of Nigeria) where the president, when it comes to party meeting, is an ordinary member and Chief Augustus Akinloye, who was the party Chairman, was the leader of the party.

Now if we are going to get back to that, it’s not going to be after the election and after defeating Tínubu and producing a president with that mentality. It’s now that we should begin to align ourselves and ensure that in the whole campaign to defeat APC, we are not replicating exactly the mistake APC has made.

We must tell all leaders to first drop their ambitions and, in dropping their ambitions they must also be ready to make the needed sacrifice, to commit to building the party. If your strategy is all about let’s have a party and, after having a party we will ensure that we impose our surrogates to become leaders of the party, then we are going back to square one.

I think Nigerians should begin to watch and when they see some of these leaders taking positions in the party, that should give them confidence that, yes this is a new party and it’s a serious business. It is going to depart from the old ways and to that extent, therefore, the prospect of meeting the expectation of citizens will be high; other than that, I think we may just be deceiving ourselves and Nigerians and imagining that we can produce anything better.

You’re talking about how the previous or past leaders are part of the problems that we currently have and why those responsible for the failures should be humble enough to take a backseat in an effort to build a strong coalition to strengthen Nigerian politics. What if they are not ready to take a back seat, what other alternative would you propose?

First, I will say that it’s not a question of trying to get rid of the old guards, no. I think, fundamentally, my view and I have said that, several times, that what we have now made it only possible for leaders to show their bad side and that the only way to push leaders to put their best side, their right foot in the business of leadership will be to create the framework, strengthen the structures of political parties that will subordinate them and make them accountable.

I have said so several times that from former president Jonathan to Buhari and now Tínubu, I believe under a different condition they may turn out to be better leaders. Unfortunately, they also contribute to a situation where they turn out the way they did. So, if we are going to depart from that, which is why I’m saying, first and foremost, we must build a political party that everybody will subordinate themselves.

It’s possible. I give you for instance, if Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and many others can subordinate themselves and go through competitive primary… because part of the problem, is that a number of them, were not able to develop the kind of relationship that will enable them to access even good advice, you know, the strategy is basically that I want you to subordinate yourself to me but once you turn it the other way around they may turn out to be better leaders.

Sincerely speaking, I think we should not beg the question; Nigeria deserves much better and current leaders must answer the question: What is their vision for the country? Is their vision for the country only to become president of Nigeria? We have seen that with Buhari and we have seen it now with Tínubu.

They have become presidents, they have achieved their vision and, in the end, it’s debatable whether they are any better in terms of public standing. My appeal and my prayer is that within our lifetime we’ll be able to produce leaders who will work for the country, and on the basis that citizens who love them, and generations to come will continue to remember them.

But you knew that President Tínubu had the conviction of “I just want to be president” when you supported the APC in the last election. Now you are talking about idealism, would you expect anything different from him?

Well, I will continue to debate all these issues. Yes, I supported President Tínubu; however, whether I am aware his ambition was just to become president, I can say publicly that I had the conviction that Tínubu is truly a progressive politician and a democrat and which was why I invested my support for him but I didn’t wait once I saw he was departing from those beliefs I had; I didn’t wait any longer and I was not pushed by anybody.

In fact, if anything, most of the criticism I received today is people telling me that it’s a mistake for me to have resigned, that I should have waited to fight inside. I mean, I could have only waited to compromise myself and become part of the establishment and become part of the physical structure of APC and, at the end of the day, damage myself.

I am humble enough to admit that yes, my judgment was wrong and I said it’s a challenge to President Tínubu to prove many of us wrong and if he did that, I will be the first to come out and apologize publicly and say again I was wrong, but to the extent that he continues arrogantly in the direction he’s going without remorse, that he has departed from all the promises he has made to Nigerians, I have no apology to him.

I’ll continue to stand and campaign against both the APC and its administration but in doing that, which leads me to your second question, life is about making choices.

I will not shy away from making a choice simply because I made mistakes in the past. I’ll continue to make choices with my eyes wide open so as not to repeat past mistakes, which is why today I am standing where I am engaging all our political leaders in a direction all of them also should not put themselves in the line of repeating the same old mistake previous leaders have made. We are all human, nobody is perfect.

They may have made mistakes in the past but to the extent that they are able to admit that the old ways are wrong and come and work together to produce a new reality which will now begin to push them to show their good side, I will have no problem and I think as Nigerians, we must have confidence that we can be able to get things right.

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/02/2027-realignment-new-move-spells-out-role-for-atiku-obi-el-rufai-kwankwaso/amp/

My own opinion is this, if they are aligning to give the presidential ticket to a man most Nigerians know that he has the capacity, the stamina and the good will and empathy to grow Nigeria into success, then the alliance should be encouraged.

But do you see any alliance that is being planned to snatch power from jagaba and give to another crook who is from a big power block and keep the country in this suffering, then I think it's a waste of time and energy. I will advice they allow Tilibu continue till he dies on the seat. No need replacing a mistake with a mistake.

They will still scatter it close to the elections. Kwankwanso and Obi are both spoilers. Their Ego and unnecessary ambition wouldn't allow the opposition to succeed. Looking at how all the key opposition figures are behaving, am afraid Tinubu might just be there till 2031.

I would urge every Nigerian youth yearning for good governance to be wary of supporting these talks of alliances by people who only want power for power sake. Talking as if the people need them for some sort of liberation when they’re the ones that need the people more. If PO who campaigned for only 9mnths still had the Irev switched off because of him, while all these same people demanding an alliance now were against him, a New Nigeria is still possible with or without their support! By the time Tinubu starts picking their calls again, one by one alliance go suffocate! G5 Govs of Wike is a very recent example.

Realignment? Congratulations to president TINUBU in advance as president elect

Tinubu wonderful performance will make Nigerians vote for him massively

The new person will still make Tinubu be like Saint. We need serious and deliberate restructuring before everything collapses.

Tinubu will not win 2027 ,am sure northerns won't vote for him, and big shots in the country are trying to merge and remove him, unless he put back the fuel subsidy, that's the only thing that will save him, he still have 2years to do that

PresidObi:
My own opinion is this, if they are aligning to give the presidential ticket to a man most Nigerians know that he has the capacity, the stamina and the good will and empathy to grow Nigeria into success, then the alliance should be encouraged.

But do you see any alliance that is being planned to snatch power from jagaba and give to another crook who is from a big power block and keep the country in this suffering, then I think it's a waste of time and energy. I will advice they allow Tilibu continue till he dies on the seat. No need replacing a mistake with a mistake.

The man you are talking that you are afraid to say his name, is not better than the other man. He has nothing to offer.

PresidObi:
My own opinion is this, if they are aligning to give the presidential ticket to a man most Nigerians know that he has the capacity, the stamina and the good will and empathy to grow Nigeria into success, then the alliance should be encouraged.

But do you see any alliance that is being planned to snatch power from jagaba and give to another crook who is from a big power block and keep the country in this suffering, then I think it's a waste of time and energy. I will advice they allow Tilibu continue till he dies on the seat. No need replacing a mistake with a mistake.

No need replacing a mistake with a mistake

The #1 priority for 2027 is sending TPain and his Agbadorians into political oblivion because they’re a threat to national security. Not only did they destroy Nigeria's economy with the worst choices and economic managers, they unleashed tribal bigotry, hate and divisiveness into Nigeria’s politics. OBJ wasn't a tribal bigot and divisive, and he had one of the most prosperous governments since 1999 because he was inclusive and worked with the best from all regions, some of who occupied the most sensitive positions and produced the best results.

TPain partnered with Buhari to remove a Southern President which was against southern interest, and look what happened to Nigeria’s economy afterwards. TPain can’t hide under “South” this time because he represents NO Southern interest. So for me, while I prefer a southerner replaces him in 2027, anyone without a tribal agenda from any part of the country is good enough to replace him in 2027.

Lol, them just dey waste their time.

Jagaban till 2031.

Only a formidable southern candidate can defeat Tinubu
Tinubu will dislodge an northern candidate. They should all support Peter Obi

A repeat of Goodluck E Jonathan one term can't be repeated

PresidObi:
My own opinion is this, if they are aligning to give the presidential ticket to a man most Nigerians know that he has the capacity, the stamina and the good will and empathy to grow Nigeria into success, then the alliance should be encouraged.

But do you see any alliance that is being planned to snatch power from jagaba and give to another crook who is from a big power block and keep the country in this suffering, then I think it's a waste of time and energy. I will advice they allow Tilibu continue till he dies on the seat. No need replacing a mistake with a mistake.

Is Pandora Bitter Obi the crook who you are talking about

NLCreator:
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, has defended the purchase of sports utility vehicles (SUVs) for members of the national assembly.

There have been reports that the leadership of the 10th national assembly has bought SUVs for all lawmakers.

Each SUV is said to be valued at N160 million.

The LP had asked members of the party in the national assembly to kick against “wastage”.

While responding to questions during a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the former governor of Anambra said the SUVs are not personal cars of the lawmakers, noting that they are for official use.

“Let me start with the issue of Labour Party members in the house. I have actually discussed this issue with them,” Obi said.

“Surprisingly, I can tell you I heard that these vehicles are official cars. They have to use it. It is meant for office.

“So it is not as if it is their vehicle. They said it is official cars and you are meant to use it while you are in the senate.”

Obi also hinted at contesting for the country’s number one position in 2027, adding that Nigeria deserves dedicated and visionary leaders who will lead the country towards a brighter future.

https://www.thecable.ng/theyre-for-official-use-obi-defends-purchase-of-n160m-suv-for-lawmakers/amp


https://twitter.com/chigozie0102/status/1721941557421486520?t=zkgSwXvLCqmEQdtMVURtBQ&s=19

It's just that the clamor for the alliance is for their pockets!

Nigeria will be great

Lol..

Oya nah..

Elemi lo ma last..

They will still fail. All of them are greedy and desperate.

Na so buhari deceive una dat time... If you like fall for it again.... I'll rather vote for sowore than vote for dis bunch of criminals who didn't do well as state governors

This man is an APC asset sent to destabilise the opposition.

Solsix:

No need replacing a mistake with a mistake

You are correct.

No need replacing the mistake of T-Pain with the mistake of Pandora Bitter Obi.

chuksikem:
What exactly is peter obi doing in Anambra state?

Am confused to say the least, please someone should tell me because the anambra i visited has degenerated so much,

chuksikem:
Was in awka some days back ,its really shameful, my heart bleeds for my state, from amansea to awka is still the same, pothole riddled roads, non-functioning street lights, refuse littering the entire state capital from arroma junction down to Ziks avenue, ,arthur eze,unizik junction,court road,udoka housing estate etc are still the same, no changes at all, the state capital still looks like a glorified village,

Civil servants and pensioners are been owed 3 MONTHS salary, so many abandoned projects yet the woman sounding governor is always in abuja 24/7.

Please peter obi's handlers on nl should please enlighten us,

A state that has the highest number of successful human beings in the entire black nation, it hurts,

Wish soludo had won ,

Kobojunkie:
.... @Poster, he is doing exactly what the people elected him to come do again. I mean for a man with meagre list of accomplishments during his first time, why else would he had been re-elected if not to continue the same?? undecided undecided undecided

PROUDIGBO:


^^^I'm trying to, but i can't fault your reasoning.

Inabi:
There is nothing scary

Where are the Integrity of our Politicians?
Yet they wants to collect but no Transparency and Accountability anywhere.
No wander, People says ' Nigeria na Cruise,
No wander OBJ ' tear his Voters Card' since!

I think Tinubu's money was the reason Atiku could not win APC primary in 2014/15. And then, he left for PDP when he realised Tinubu is a stumbling block and will keep supporting Buhari no matter the trashes thrown at him. And prior, Obasanjo had been the stumbling block Atiku was facing. He is always getting the primary slots to contest with his money. And Tinubu used his money to beat Ameachi, Osinbajo, and others in the last election. So, Atiku looks good to take it again in my opinion. Here is the truth: as long as Atiku is the flag bearer, they have failed before the election. So, it is better for any coalition to make sure Atiku Abubarkar is either defeated anyhow or not invited. But of course, they will want to invite him to put all hands together to win which may sound very wise but extremely foolish. No one can match his will to buy the delegates.

Atiku is the weakest link in this chain, but unfortunately the person who is capable of buying votes more than others.

I wish them well.

Honestly, the solution is for Nigeria to break.

All of these realignments of familiar political foes is like an admixture of oil and water.. Kolewerk!
..do you think that these politicians will place national interest above personal ambition? I doubt it. Once any of them feels he's receiving the short end of the stick from the horse-trading, trust the typical self preserving trait of jumping ship and returning to the ruling party, and betrayal, to kick in.
It's just our mentality in politics. Anyway, time will tell.

Wickedfacts:
This man is an APC asset sent to destabilise the opposition.

Was that the case of wicked ologogoro Wike during the last election

anonimi:
2023: PDP and politics of healing Wike’s self-inflicted injury

Then, the race began in earnest for three years now, reaching a frenzy with the works of the two PDP committees on zoning. The first was the Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi committee on the zoning of the PDP party offices. The Ugwuanyi committee quickly told the world the committee’s assignment did not cover zoning the office of the president. Though this was true, the question is: why didn’t the Ugwuanyi committee zone the PDP chairmanship to the North without aligning it to the divide that would produce the PDP presidential flag-bearer? The second committee headed by Gov Samuel Ortom of Benue state was specifically on the zoning of the presidential ticket and, with the votes of the representatives of all the 17 Southern states without any exception, the Committee unanimously recommended throwing open the PDP presidential ticket, which the PDP NEC simply upheld.

One thing irrefutably stands out – Wike shot himself in the leg. Here was a man who had an overarching influence on both committees but could not insist that the ticket be zoned South. Many had wondered why? The reason is also relatively in plain sight: the Southeast factor. As the clamour for zoning of the presidential ticket of the PDP to South reached its crescendo, many had pointed out the fact that though the PDP Constitution had prescribed zoning of the office of the president to be between North and South since the South-west and South-south had taken their turns in producing the president and the vice in this current dispensation in the persons of Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, zoning this time around, should not just be to the South but the Southeast.

Atiku Abubakar went a step further by offering to step down from the race if it would be agreed that the touted zoning to the South would mean micro-zoning to the Southeast. Wike and the rest could not take the Atiku challenge maybe because Atiku would likely back Peter Obi, who was his vice-presidential running mate in 2019 and an ally. The prospects of Peter Obi picking the ticket if PDP zoned South was so real compelling Wike to go for an open contest, believing he could pick it up ahead of Atiku, Tambuwal and Bala Mohammed, given his large war chest.

https://www.thecable.ng/2023-pdp-and-politics-of-healing-wikes-self-inflicted-injury/amp

Group of failures 😁