Immediate past National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Salihu Lukman, on Sunday, called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; presidential candidate of the Labour Party Peter Obi; former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and former governors of Kano and Kaduna states, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Nasir El-Rufai, to unite to rescue the country from the ruling APC and President Bola Tinubu.
Lukman said in a statement that political leaders must recognise that rescuing Nigeria from its current slippery slope is about teamwork and partnership.
He noted that building the kind of united front capable of moving Nigeria’s democracy forward required selflessness on the part of Nigerian political leaders.
According to the former APC chieftain, “The requirement for high acceptability from all sections of the country should humble all political leaders in the country, especially Alh. Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi, not to exploit the need for such a united front by imposing their presidential ambitions.
“In the same vein, other APC leaders such as Prof. Osinbajo, Chief Amaechi, Dr. Fayemi, Mal. El-Rufai, Sen. Amosun, etc. (APC political orphans) who in one way or another have ambitions to become Nigeria’s president, must bury such ambitions, at least not during the negotiation to form the united political front.”
Lukman also called on former governors, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf Aregbesola, Kayode Fayemi and Ibikunle Amosun, among other political leaders, to team up to defeat the ruling party.
He added, “If APC and President Asiwaju Tinubu are to have any considerable electoral strength in 2027, it will be on account of the current division, which characterises Nigerian politics and makes it impossible for any form of cooperation by political leaders.
“Absence of cooperation among political leaders is responsible for the rising incidence of bad governance in the country and is eroding the basis of Nigerian nationhood. Once democracy cannot respond to challenges facing citizens, Nigeria as a sovereign entity will be irrelevant and questionable.”
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