Former APC Chairman for the Northwest, Salihu Lukman, has voiced his concerns regarding the recent media chat, arguing that it failed to address the pressing issues facing Nigeria.
“The media chat has not changed anything. If anything, it projected a leader who, somehow, is not listening to the cries of the nation,” Lukman stated in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday.
He criticised the current administration for lacking a clear and actionable plan, stating, “There is nothing substantial that you can point at to say this is the true plan of the government, and this will be the possible outcome in the next few months.”
He accused the government of making impulsive decisions and being in denial about the ineffectiveness of its policies.
Emphasising the need for a new political direction, Lukman stated that the current challenge is to offer Nigerians a viable alternative—something innovative and new that will start to fulfil citizens’ expectations.
“The beauty of democracy is about choices,” he asserted.
Lukman also criticised the state of political parties, pointing out their failure to hold meetings and engage with members, which he believes severely hampers their ability to function effectively. He emphasised the need for Nigeria to have at least one operational political party.
Discussing the mindset of many Nigerian politicians, Lukman noted that all parties focus on opposition and make internal elections nearly impossible. He highlighted that the average Nigerian politician prefers to rig elections rather than earn the support of citizens.
“This has to be corrected,” he stated.
When questioned about the potential for redeeming the APC, Lukman disclosed that their attempts over the past year to advocate for effective party structures had been in vain. He explained that despite spending over a year on internal advocacy, trying to persuade the leaders to let the party structures operate, it became clear that once leaders were content with their control over the government and access to governmental opportunities, they became indifferent to the party’s functionality.
He declared the APC “practically dead,” citing the absence of meetings at all levels and calling for the creation of a substantially different political party.
He stated, “We have to produce a political party that will substantially be different from what exists at the moment.
“My appeal to many Nigerians is that we must not allow the wrong people to exercise monopoly of the political process.”
Lukman’s remarks underscore the urgent need for political reform and the establishment of parties that genuinely serve the interests of the Nigerian people.
Frances Ibiefo
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