ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Salihu Mohammed Lukman, a prominent figure within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has taken a bold step by addressing an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressing deep concerns about the trajectory of his administration’s early months.
The former National Vice Chairman (North West) of the APC highlighted what he termed “disturbing signals” that have cast a shadow over the government’s performance.
In the candid letter titled “Disturbing Signals: Open Letter to President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Lukman pointedly accused the President of inadvertently promoting a Muslim-Muslim dynamic within the party, a move that has caused some unease following the triumph in the 25 February polls.
Among the issues that have raised eyebrows, Lukman drew attention to the prevailing exchange rate between the dollar and the naira, the fluctuating fuel pump prices, and the President’s selections for key ministerial positions. These elements have collectively contributed to what Lukman described as a sense of disquiet among the populace.
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Lukman went further to question the wisdom behind the appointment of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Ajibola Bashiru, both of whom practice the Muslim faith, as the APC’s national chairman and secretary, respectively. He expressed concerns that this decision could potentially amplify tension not only within the party but also across Nigeria as a whole.
In a show of discontent, Lukman highlighted the paradoxical scenario where Ajibola Bashiru, hailing from Osun State, succeeded Iyiola Omisore, who had resigned from the same State.
Conversely, Lukman criticized the absence of similar representation from Nasarawa State, where a loyalist of Tinubu, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, could have stepped in to replace the outgoing national chairman, Adamu. The decision to endorse another Muslim-Muslim leadership was met with Lukman’s disappointment.
The final concern raised in the letter pertained to the criteria utilized in the selection of ministers. Lukman expressed reservations that these various developments might impede the realization of Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
In this open letter, Lukman’s candid critique underscores a growing apprehension within the APC’s ranks and the larger Nigerian society. The concerns expressed by this prominent party member serve as a reminder of the delicate balance required in leadership appointments and policy decisions.
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The letter reads in part: “Your Excellency, I find it very compelling to send this open letter to you because there are disturbing signals, which if not averted could produce bigger problems and irreversibly destroy our electoral viability as a party.
“Without attempting to question your authority and commitment to the wellbeing of Nigeria as a nation, within the short period since May 29, 2023 when you assumed office, there are decisions you took, which are very disturbing to many of us who are loyal party members.
“Rather than even attempting to respond to that challenge and demonstrate that truly we only invoked the Muslim-Muslim ticket as an electoral strategy, in a very insensitive manner we imposed another Muslim-Muslim scenario in the party with national chairman and national secretary both Muslims.
“And we want to claim we are a progressive party? What is the brand of our progressive politics? Certainly, not the one which Nigerians expect, which endears us to citizens on account of which Nigerians gave us the mandate to manage the affairs of government since 2015. As it is, both as party members and as Nigerians, our expectation from your government has crashed.”