Salihu Lukman, the former National Vice Chairman North-west of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has voiced his concerns about recent political developments within the party.
He believes that the recent dismissal of Senator Ali Ndume as the Chief Whip of the Senate and his expulsion from the APC indicate that President Bola Tinubu may only intend to serve one term in office.
On Wednesday, Senator Ndume was removed from his position and replaced by Senator Tahir Monguno. This change followed a directive in a letter sent to the APC Caucus in the Senate, signed by APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and National Secretary Senator Basiru Ajibola.
The letter cited Ndume’s alleged harsh criticisms against President Tinubu as the reason for his removal.
In a statement issued on Thursday titled “Fanatical Mindset,” Lukman expressed his dismay at the current state of free speech in Nigeria. He compared the situation to the repressive era of former military dictator Sani Abacha, stating that it might even be worse now.
Lukman said; “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 is continuously getting worse. Instead of making effort to develop clear plans to address the situation, the government is becoming more intolerant to criticism.
“Any democracy that cannot accommodate criticism is no democracy. A democracy that subverts fair hearing is a dictatorship. A democracy that permits a ruling party to demobilise its organs and inadvertently expels its members is worse than a military government.”
“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 end their tenure in 2027, patriotic Nigerians must help them to ensure their defeat in 2027!”
