•Salihu Lukman
Former National Vice Chairman, North West of the All Progressives Congress, Salihu Lukman, has revealed that politicians in the existing opposition parties and those who feel sidelined in the ruling party have opened discussions to float a new party to dislodge the APC in the forthcoming general elections.
Lukman, who had since resigned from the APC, dropped the hint in his New Year message entitled, “Political Competition Should Define New Nigeria,” issued to newsmen in Abuja.
The former Director General of the Progressive Governors Forum, who was silent on the identity of forces behind the new political party, noted that precautionary measures were being taken to create a platform that would not ultimately be hijacked by a few individuals who would not subordinate themselves to party structures and statutory organs, reports Nigerian Tribune.
He, however, expressed confidence that the unfolding party would inspire confidence in Nigerians and have the capacity to dislodge the ruling APC.
“Nigerians need to move into 2025 with a positive disposition that it is indeed possible to produce a new political reality in the country. It is indeed possible to produce a political party that can guarantee political competition in Nigeria as a basis for leadership selection at all levels. It is possible to rebuild democratic structures in the country, including political parties, and get them to challenge political leaders in Nigeria to produce their positive side and put the nation on the roadmap of joining the comity of developed nations.
“It is possible for Nigeria to rise in our lifetime and produce political leaders that will be a source of pride to citizens. Through the right political alignments, reorganisation, and new refreshing initiatives, our resourcefulness, productivity, and innovative disposition will be the new defining orientation for a new Nigeria. As a nation, the search for happiness, belief in our capacity to have all the goodness life can guarantee, and above all produce a positive disposition that should define our orientation. This has capacitated us to overcome our challenges, which endowed us to remain resilient and survive all odds.
“Like in past cases, Nigerians will survive current challenges. The same way Nigerians outlived military rule, we shall outlive this era of emperors and in 2025 produce a truly democratic political party, which could guarantee internal political competition as the foundation for the restoration of national political competition. Through political competition, Nigeria shall produce truly democratic leaders in 2027 who will render selfless services to Nigerians, based on which the country can achieve all its national potentials. May God bless Nigerians with the strength of character to engage Nigerian opposition politicians so that Nigerian democracy will be on its feet once more and Nigeria will be blessed with democratic leaders who will be responsive to the needs of citizens.”
