Salihu Moh. Lukman, former National Vice Chairman for the Northwest of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has criticized Senate President Godswill Akpabio for allegedly reducing the Nigerian Senate to a mere extension of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
This criticism follows the dismissal of Senate Whip Mohammed Ndume by the Abdullahi Ganduje-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, titled “Fanatical Mindset,” Lukman, a former Director General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), urged Nigerians to rise to the challenge of saving the country. He questioned how a democracy can thrive when its leaders are intolerant of criticism and compared the ruling party’s behavior to that of a military tribunal, condemning anyone accused of wrongdoing without fair hearing.
Lukman expressed concern over the actions of Dr. Ganduje and Sen. Basiru, who reportedly asked Sen. Ndume to resign from the APC and join an opposition party. He argued that APC’s internal mechanisms are non-functional and that no official within the party has the authority to remove a principal officer of the National Assembly unilaterally.
He criticized the APC Senate Caucus for allowing such actions, which he believes undermine the independence of the National Assembly. Lukman also condemned Akpabio for allegedly reducing the Senate to a parastatal under the government. He argued that a democracy should tolerate criticism and should not punish members for expressing dissenting opinions.
Furthermore, Lukman criticized the APC for expelling members and demobilizing its organs, suggesting that this approach is detrimental to Nigerian democracy. He called on patriotic Nigerian political leaders and opposition figures to unite to restore and rebuild democracy in the country.
The APC had previously accused Sen. Ndume of making harmful statements against the government, including a televised interview where Ndume criticized the APC administration and labeled it as run by “kakistocrats” and “kleptocrats.” The APC’s letter to the Senate requested Ndume’s resignation, arguing that his criticism undermined the party’s unity and the government’s efforts.
Lukman argued that in a functioning democratic party, issues like those raised by Ndume would be addressed by appropriate party organs rather than through public statements. He expressed doubts about whether the decision to remove Ndume was properly vetted by party leaders or Senate members.
He concluded by reflecting on the management of the Tinubu administration, noting that the reversal of decisions is uncharacteristic of Tinubu’s previous leadership style as Governor of Lagos State.