A fresh crack has emerged within the African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led opposition coalition following the suspension of membership by prominent political figure and former National Vice Chairman (North-West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman.
Lukman announced his decision in a letter addressed to the National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, accusing former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, of orchestrating a campaign of political hostility and marginalisation against him.
He alleged that despite investing considerable effort in building and strengthening the opposition coalition in Kaduna State, he had become the target of sustained attacks and exclusion by El-Rufai and his loyalists.
According to Lukman, disagreements over the party’s leadership structure in Kaduna gradually sidelined him, leaving him feeling unwanted within a coalition he helped establish.
He stated that stepping aside was the best option, saying it was preferable to remain inactive than continue enduring what he described as unfair treatment.
Lukman further accused some coalition leaders of abandoning the democratic principles they publicly advocate, alleging that internal decisions were increasingly being driven by personal interests rather than fairness and inclusiveness.
He also criticised former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, alleging that the former minister had begun engaging individuals in Kaduna whose commitment to strengthening the ADC was questionable, while ignoring those who had worked to build the party from the ground up.
The former APC chieftain warned that such developments were weakening confidence in the coalition and diminishing the ADC’s ability to emerge as a formidable opposition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Despite his decision, Lukman expressed appreciation to Senator David Mark and other national leaders of the coalition, stressing that his action was not directed at the party’s national leadership but was prompted by the treatment he allegedly received from El-Rufai and some coalition figures in Kaduna State.
