By OBSERVERS TIMES
Salifu Lukman, a former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has revealed that the coalition mobilizing against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to ensuring fairness in its selection of a presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday, Lukman emphasized the coalition’s awareness of the ongoing debate regarding the need for a Southern candidate to represent the party. He stated that the coalition is focused on identifying a candidate who enjoys widespread popularity among voters.
When asked about the likelihood of a Southern candidate emerging for the upcoming presidential race, Lukman affirmed, “No doubt.” He elaborated, saying, “The most fundamental issue is that elections must take place. Whoever has majority followership should be the one fielded by the party.”
Lukman acknowledged the importance of equity in the selection process, highlighting that it is the South’s turn to have a candidate for the next eight years. He assured that these considerations will be addressed during internal negotiations within the coalition, while also safeguarding the rights of party members to participate in the process.
“This is a delicate situation,” Lukman remarked. “At this preliminary stage, we are urging everyone in the coalition to set aside personal ambitions and focus on building the party first.”
He underscored the coalition’s priority of identifying credible individuals for executive positions within the party, emphasizing the need for leaders who are committed to the coalition’s objectives rather than seeking personal gain through presidential appointments.
Lukman stressed the importance of selecting a party chairman who possesses a profile similar to that of the president, someone who can confidently provide constructive criticism when necessary. He warned against allowing ambitious individuals to dominate party structures, which could lead to a return to past political practices.
He stated, “We must ensure the party has the right leadership—leaders who can engage with everyone honestly. The national chairman should be someone who can approach the president and say, ‘Mr. President, this is not right,’ without being beholden to the aspirations of potential candidates.”
Lukman concluded by asserting that the success of the coalition will be determined by the caliber of leadership it presents following negotiations. “The first test of whether we are getting it right will be in the caliber of the leadership of the party that will be presented after we conclude the negotiation,” he said.
