In a strongly worded statement, Salihu Lukman, former National Vice Chairman North-west of the All Progressives Congress (APC), condemned the recent removal of Senator Ali Ndume as Chief Whip of the Senate and his subsequent expulsion from the party. Lukman suggested that these actions indicate President Bola Tinubu's intention to serve only one term in office.
On Wednesday, Senator Ndume was replaced by Senator Tahir Monguno as Chief Whip following a directive from APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and National Secretary Senator Basiru Ajibola. The directive, which cited Ndume's "rabid outbursts" against the president, has sparked significant controversy.
In a statement titled "Fanatical Mindset," Lukman lamented the suppression of free speech, comparing the current political climate to the oppressive era of General Sani Abacha. He expressed concern over the erosion of personal liberties and the lack of fair hearing, asserting that Nigeria now has "democracy without democrats."
"There is nowhere in the APC Constitution where the National Chairman, National Secretary, or any official, or even the National Working Committee, is given the powers to summarily remove any principal officer of the National Assembly," Lukman stated. He criticized the APC Senate Caucus for permitting what he termed an "act of illegality," warning that this sets a dangerous precedent undermining the independence of the National Assembly.
Lukman further criticized the current administration's handling of the country's worsening living conditions. "The way things are, it is almost as if President Asiwaju Tinubu has resolved that he will only be a one-term President. Under his watch, the living conditions of Nigerians are continuously getting worse. Instead of making efforts to develop clear plans to address the situation, the government is becoming more intolerant to criticism," he said.
Lukman emphasized that any democracy must be able to accommodate criticism and uphold fair hearing. He argued that the current trajectory of the APC and Tinubu's government resembles a dictatorship rather than a democratic administration. "A democracy that subverts fair hearing is a dictatorship. A democracy that permits a ruling party to demobilize its organs and inadvertently expels its members is worse than a military government," he asserted.
Concluding his statement, Lukman called on patriotic Nigerians to ensure the defeat of the APC in the 2027 elections. "So long as APC, its leadership, and Asiwaju Tinubu’s government have taken the self-destructive path, which is equivalent to a declaration of working to end their tenure in 2027, patriotic Nigerians must help them to ensure their defeat in 2027!"
As the political landscape in Nigeria continues to evolve, the tensions within the ruling party and the broader implications for the country's democratic processes remain critical issues for observers and citizens alike. Glide News will continue to monitor and report on these developments.
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