In a dramatic turn of events, Mallam Salihu Lukman, the National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for North-West, has officially tendered his resignation. This comes amidst speculations surrounding the potential appointment of former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, as the APC’s National Chairman.
Lukman, in a letter addressed to the Acting National Chairman, Senator Abubakar Kyari, expressed his deep concerns about alleged illegal acts and interference in the affairs of the party. He stressed that such actions are at odds with the original vision of forming a progressive party, which has prompted him to step down from his position immediately.
The letter read, “Your Excellency, I hereby kindly resign my position as National Vice Chairman, North-West of our great party, All Progressives Congress. My resignation is with immediate effect, which becomes necessary given my conviction that the atmosphere in the party is completely at variance with the founding vision of forming a progressive party.
“Rather than remaining in the leadership of the party and becoming a source of distraction for leaders and especially for the young government of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it is better to excuse myself and take time off from politics.
“I will however retain my membership of the party in the hope that our leaders, especially President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will retract from acts that will be unjust and illegal, which is crucial to any claim of being democratic or progressive whether as politicians or as patriotic Nigerians.”
His resignation follows the recent departure of Senator Abdullahi Adamu and Senator Iyiola Omisore from their respective leadership roles within the party. It appears that the turmoil within the APC is far from over.
Lukman’s fears center around the potential appointment of Abdullahi Ganduje as the party’s National Chairman. He firmly believes that such a decision would be detrimental to the party’s future, as it would violate the zoning arrangement that currently dictates the leadership configuration within the party. He argued that the North Central region should be given the opportunity to produce the next National Chairman, following Adamu’s departure.
The controversy surrounding Ganduje’s suitability for the role stems from a past bribery scandal. In 2018, an online newspaper published a video allegedly showing Ganduje receiving bundles of dollars from contractors, which he concealed in his traditional outfit. Ganduje vehemently denied any wrongdoing, claiming the video was doctored. However, the Kano Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) recently confirmed the authenticity of the video, further adding to the controversy.
Despite the ongoing questions about Ganduje’s integrity, there are reports that he is being considered for the coveted position. This has raised concerns among party members, including Lukman, who fear that such a choice would undermine the principles of democracy and progressivism that the APC claims to uphold.
In the midst of this political storm, Nigerians are left pondering whether the APC’s leaders will heed Lukman’s warning and reconsider their choice for the National Chairman position. As the situation unfolds, the fate of the party and its ability to navigate these controversies remains uncertain.
Amidst the current buzz and controversy surrounding the APC party, I must point out that we, the public, are closely observing the situation. There’s a famous African proverb that says, “a toad does not run in the daytime for nothing,” implying that actions rarely occur without reason. Before any attempts are made to deny the existence of internal disputes within the APC, it’s essential for those involved to recognize that their actions are being closely monitored.
