By Maryanne Awuya
As political tensions are escalating within Nigeria’s political parties, Salihu Lukman, former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Vice Chairman for the North-West, has offered insights into a new political movement.
This group aims to redefine leadership and governance in the region.
Lukman, speaking on Arise TV’s “The Morning Show” in Abuja on Tuesday, revealed that the Northern Political Consultative Group has been quietly unifying northern political voices and rethinking governance structures.
This coalition comprises various leaders and stakeholders.
He said: “This initiative did not just start today. The Sunday meeting was our second expanded session following several consultations and smaller strategy meetings.”
According to him, the group’s recent engagements have focused heavily on insecurity and wider political dysfunction in the region.
He said: “No one can say they are satisfied with the current state of the North. The question now is: what do we do to change things? We are not here to pass blame to President Tinubu or anyone else in government. The real task is to reorient our politics entirely.”
Lukman revealed that the coalition is developing a blueprint to drive progress across the 19 Northern states.
He said: “We need a roadmap that goes beyond rhetoric – something concrete to tackle challenges such as poverty, out-of-school children, and poor governance.
“We are not looking to replicate the same system where candidates are imposed and leaders are unaccountable. We are working towards a structure where party members elect their leaders, and those leaders are accountable to both the party and the citizens.”
On past political failures, he acknowledged mistakes had been made, stressing the new movement must learn from them.
“Democracy loses its essence if citizens cannot hold leaders accountable. We are not trying to defeat Tinubu personally; we are trying to rebuild politics around principle and integrity.”
Lukman said internal democracy and merit-based candidate selection would define the group, stressing the quality of our leadership will prove our credibility.
On the second anniversary of President Tinubu’s administration, Lukman delivered a sharp critique, asserting that the government had failed to deliver on its “Renewed Hope” agenda.
Instead, he claimed it had fueled widespread frustration and anger among Nigerians.
Meanwhile, key opposition figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and ex-Governor Rotimi Amaechi, met with northern leaders at the Abuja Continental Hotel on May 25, as reported by Persecondnews.
This closed-door session, convened by the Northern Political Consultative Group, reportedly aimed to build momentum for a unified opposition front leading up to the 2027 elections.
The meeting, attended by several high-profile politicians, was reportedly marked by tense moments as a protest by Jigawa State delegates, for example, underscored the challenges inherent in forging a cohesive coalition.
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