Former official of APC who was reportedly the APC National Vice Chairman (North-West), Mallam Salihu Lukman, has explained why he has not yet joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), despite leaving the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Lukman, who played a key role in the removal of former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu and National Secretary Iyiola Omisore, said he resigned from the party due to the growing lack of internal democracy and the concentration of power in the hands of a few individuals.
However, he clarified that while he shares similar concerns with former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who is rumored to be aligning with the SDP, he is not ready to join the party at this time.
According to Lukman, his main priority is to work towards building a credible political alternative that can genuinely uphold democratic principles, rather than rushing to join another party.
He revealed that he has been in discussions with various political figures and groups to explore options for a stronger opposition movement ahead of the 2027 elections.
He criticized the current APC leadership, particularly the manner in which President Bola Tinubu handpicked Abdullahi Ganduje as the party’s National Chairman without proper consultations.
He also condemned Ganduje’s statement that there is “no vacancy in Aso Rock” for 2027, describing it as a sign of the ruling party’s disregard for democracy.
Lukman stated that while the SDP could become a viable platform, he wants to ensure that any party he joins is truly committed to internal democracy and not just another vehicle for personal political ambitions.
He noted that Nigeria’s democracy is facing serious challenges, with political competition being suppressed and power concentrated among a select few.
For now, Lukman remains focused on uniting opposition figures and disillusioned APC members to create a new political force, but he has not ruled out the possibility of joining the SDP in the future.
