In response to the emerging coalition of opposition political parties against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election, Salihu Lukman, the spokesman for the coalition, has criticized the governors from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), calling them undercover agents of President Bola Tinubu.
Lukman, who is also a former National Vice Chairman for the North West region of the APC, made this allegation in a statement titled “Rescuing Nigerian Democracy,” which he personally signed and released to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday.
During a meeting in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, the PDP governors reaffirmed their position by distancing themselves from the proposed coalition against the APC.
They stated that they are open to engaging with anyone or any political party interested in joining the main opposition party.
Bauchi state Governor and Chairman PDP Governors Forum noted that “the PDP, as a major opposition party, welcomes any parties, persons, or groups that are willing to join the party with a view to wrestling power and enthroning good leadership in 2027.”
Lukman who declared that the coalition was all about promoting democracy and healthy political competition accused the governors of the erstwhile ruling party as undercover supporters of Tinubu, anxious to make themselves available to undermine genuine efforts to create a formidable alternative to the ruling APC.
“The coalition is a viable option to not only defeating the APC and President Bola Tinubu, but also to rescue our democracy from imminent collapse. Rescuing Nigeran democracy, which is about rebuilding trust between citizens and politicians is the main objective of the coalition.
“However, the coalition has also become necessary if the integrity of political institutions, especially political parties in upholding and promoting political competitions in the country is to be restored. And nothing represents the sad reality of the destruction of our democracy than the party that ruled Nigeria for 16 years and arrogantly boasted of ruling for 60 years, the PDP. The mere fact that the NEC meeting of the party has of the party has not held for two years and no Nigerian can confidently tell who is really in charge of the party is evidence of this collapse. This should be the concern of leaders of the party, including its Governors. Unfortunately, all we have seen of the PDP Governors is the flagrant usurpation of the powers assigned to the organs of the party. This is wrong. It is also a clear demonstration that if left alone, the PDP Governors will only continue the path of destroying democratic institutions in the country.
“As it is, all patriotic Nigerians who are committed to rescuing Nigerian democracy should recognise that the challenge facing us as a nation is beyond the romantic affiliation to so-called political parties such as the PDP, with many of its leaders operating as trojan horses to the APC and President Tinubu’s government. It makes no sense to invest energy and resources in a party whose leaders are either appointees of APC Government or undercover supporters. Otherwise, how can anyone justify the way PDP and its leaders are mismanaging themselves and practically putting themselves on the path of self-destruction and political irrelevance?”
The former member of the APC National Working Committee maintained that the Coalition was about creating a credible and formidable alternative platform that would restore confidence of the electorate in the democratic process as against the current loss of interest and disdain for APC and the PDP.
“The survival of Nigeria and the future of democracy largely depends on how political actors seek to reverse this ugly reality. This is what leaders of the coalition have been painstakingly working on. The coalition is working hard to finalise negotiations towards unveiling the coalition, along with its structure, and programme of action for rescuing Nigeria. The expectation is that all political actors, including leaders of PDP would recognise the danger facing the country and join the coalition as a necessary and perhaps strongest response towards rebuilding Nigerian democracy. This has not happened. However, even as the PDP Governors and some leaders of PDP express opposition to joining the coalition, we extend hands of fellowship to all political actors in the country to join us to rescue Nigerian democracy.
“Nigeria is in dire need of rescue. The future of our republic depends on the courage and clarity of its opposition leaders and institutions. We call on all true democrats across the political spectrum to set aside ego, ambition, and party barriers and commits to building a coalition for national salvation.
“History beckons. The time to act is now!”
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