Lukman Urges Obasanjo, Other Former Leaders to Unite Opposition Against Tinubu in 2027

Former National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Northwest Zone, Salihu Lukman, has called on ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo to spearhead the formation of a united opposition party comprising Nigeria’s past leaders. According to Lukman, the initiative is essential to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the APC in the 2027 elections.

Reacting to a recent statement attributed to Obasanjo that “a leader made by Satan is bound to fail, while God’s chosen one will thrive,” Lukman emphasized the urgent need for collaboration among opposition leaders to bring about the emergence of “Godly leaders.”

In an open letter, Lukman implored Obasanjo to work alongside other former heads of state, including Generals Yakubu Gowon, Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and Goodluck Jonathan. He urged them to engage opposition politicians in creating a functional political platform to ensure leadership with integrity.

Lukman argued that lamenting the current state of leadership without taking action would inadvertently support a second term for President Tinubu. “It is not enough to lament about the fact of Satanic leadership in the country. So long as Your Excellency and other past leaders fail to assert their moral authority, it amounts to enabling Tinubu and his team of failed leaders,” Lukman stated.

Lukman warned against the disunity among opposition figures, describing it as a significant factor in APC’s 2023 electoral success. He noted that the inability of opposition leaders to set aside personal ambitions to form a united front risks the continuation of what he termed “Satanic leadership.”

He further criticized some opposition leaders for prioritizing individual political ambitions over national interest, accusing them of engaging in regional and ethnic politics that only perpetuate the cycle of ineffective governance.

According to Lukman, Nigeria’s political system requires a fundamental reengineering to foster the emergence of a genuinely functional opposition party. He urged Obasanjo and other past leaders to humble opposing political figures and guide them toward unity. “The process of producing a functional political party capable of serving as the harbinger for Godly leadership must begin now,” he added.

Opposition Leaders Under Scrutiny

Lukman alleged that some opposition figures are resistant to forming a united platform due to their personal ambitions. He highlighted a group linked to a legacy party within APC, accusing them of preemptively selecting candidates and fostering divisions. He also pointed to external financiers supporting so-called regional “democratic” bodies, which he argued undermine genuine efforts for political unity.

APC’s Strategy for 2027

Lukman claimed that the APC’s strategy for 2027 hinges on keeping the opposition divided. He asserted that any opposition leader unwilling to work with others is inadvertently aiding the ruling party’s re-election bid.

In conclusion, Lukman called on Obasanjo and other former leaders to rise to the occasion, stating, “This is a moral obligation. Failure to act decisively will leave Nigeria trapped in a cycle of failed leadership driven by narrow personal interests.”