Salihu Lukman, a former National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has expressed a deep loss of faith in President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, stating that he does not foresee any significant achievements under his governance before May 2027.

In an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akanda, a political show on Channels Television, Lukman shared his growing disappointment with Tinubu’s administration, revealing that his hopes for the President had faded.

Lukman explained, “For you to even expect something very wonderful to happen before May 2027, I will say you are a dreamer, I will wish you luck in your dream, but if it happens, it will be a pleasant surprise.”

The former APC leader pointed out that, after observing Tinubu’s leadership style, he realized that the President is not the progressive figure he once believed him to be.

Lukman noted that Tinubu is handling the country differently compared to how he managed Lagos State between 1999 and 2007.

He went further to say, “For me, I have reached the conclusion that I don’t think anything good is going to come out and which is why we have to start organising. I have said so, this country can be fixed in our lifetime, and I pray to God to give us the strength and courage to engage our leaders.”

Lukman also recalled that he waited until July of the previous year before withdrawing his support for Tinubu, explaining that the President has increasingly isolated himself, even within his own party, making him inaccessible to many.

Having initially hoped that Tinubu would address the issues left behind by former President Muhammadu Buhari, Lukman admitted that Tinubu’s administration has unfortunately fallen short, leaving Buhari’s tenure looking better in comparison.

The ex-APC vice chair also discussed the current political landscape, stating that the failure of the APC necessitates a strong and foundational new coalition.

He emphasized the need to learn from past mistakes, particularly the failure of the APC, which he believes sacrificed the party for personal interests.

“If having gone through the APC and failed, we now organise another coalition that will become business as usual, which is why this initial negotiation we are really engaging ourselves.”

“So, we really have to, we owe it to Nigerians, and I am telling Nigerians that look, it is possible to fix this country in our lifetime,” he said.

Lukman insisted that the mistakes made by the APC should not be repeated in the formation of a new political alliance, stressing the importance of staying true to the core values and goals for a better Nigeria.

The Presidency has said the wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is purely voluntary and not influenced by President Bola Tinubu or any of his associates.

Responding to allegations of orchestrating a one-party state, the Presidency maintained that Nigeria’s democracy remains robust, stating that the freedom of association is being fully respected.

“Nigerians migrating to the APC and expressing support for Tinubu are doing so out of their free will, based on the belief that the reforms being executed are in the interest of Nigerians and the unborn generation,” said Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, in a statement issued Sunday.

The statement, titled ‘Democracy Strong and Alive in Nigeria,’ comes amid the latest defections, including those of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, commissioners, and local government chairmen.

Notably, Okowa had been the PDP’s vice-presidential candidate during the 2023 general elections.

With major opposition parties like the PDP, Labour Party, and NNPP currently dealing with internal crises and losing members to the APC, some critics have alleged that the ruling party is manipulating these defections to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections—an accusation the Presidency firmly rejected.

“The opposition cannot blame President Tinubu and the governing APC for their poor organisation, indiscipline, and gross incompetence in managing their affairs,” Onanuga stated.

He continued, “While the opposition elements are understandably heartbroken and disillusioned over the failure of their fabled grand coalition to gain traction, we find it disturbing that they resorted to peddling false allegations of the promotion of a one-party state against President Bola Tinubu, who is working very hard to reverse decades of economic mismanagement of our country.”

Onanuga emphasized that, “Contrary to the false claims in the sponsored propaganda materials in circulation across mainstream and social media, democracy is not under any threat in Nigeria. Accusations that the administration is moving towards authoritarianism are baseless and exaggerated.”

He further stressed, “We must add that no policy, official action, or directive from the Presidency seeks to ‘dismantle democracy’ or ‘weaken opposition or create a one-party state.’”

Accusations that defections are driven by bribery, blackmail, or state weaponisation, the Presidency said, “only exist in the idle minds” of opposition figures and their sympathizers.

“It is certainly not part of President Tinubu’s job to organise or strengthen opposition parties,” the statement insisted.

Onanuga also challenged what he described as double standards among critics who had earlier celebrated former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s alleged defection to the Social Democratic Party and the building of a regional coalition aimed at unseating Tinubu in 2027, but now complain about the APC’s growing strength.

He noted that, “Without any equivocation, freedom of association, freedom of speech and freedom of choice are part of the cherished ideals of democracy.”

“When politicians and citizens can not freely join any association or political party of their choice or cannot openly express their views, democracy is imperilled.”

According to him, opposition figures and civil rights activists critical of the APC are the same ones who lament when their plans falter.

“It is hypocrisy writ large when opposition politicians and their collaborators in the ‘human rights’ movement desire that the party of the President should implode so they can gain electoral advantage and cry wolf when their wish does not materialise,” Onanuga added.

He warned that undermining the political decisions of Nigerians while applauding opposition coalitions is a “gross disservice to democracy.”

Onanuga affirmed that under President Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria’s democracy remains vibrant and resilient, with the multiparty system secure.

“His administration remains resolutely committed to upholding and strengthening the democratic foundations upon which our Fourth Republic has stood since 1999. Politicians changing party affiliation is not new or peculiar to Nigeria,” he said.

Pointing to practices in advanced democracies where party-switching is not unusual, Onanuga praised both Tinubu and the APC’s National Working Committee, led by Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, for building a political party that is attractive to Nigerians.

“President Tinubu is an avowed Democrat and a firm believer in multiparty democracy. His political activism and democratic credentials in galvanising and strengthening opposition platforms as a force that defeated a sitting President and the then ruling party attest to his profound credibility as a tested and relentless defender of multiparty democracy,” Onanuga stated.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to support efforts to protect democracy and to ignore alarmist narratives.

“We urge all Nigerians to join hands with the administration in protecting our democracy by respecting their choices and giving a wide berth to peddlers of alarming narratives rooted in fiction,” he said.

Dr. Jibril Mustapha, President of the Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation and former leader of the Buhari Youth Organisation, has called on former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos, Mustapha said Jonathan should respond to the growing appeals urging him to re-enter the presidential race.

“As the nation prepares for the 2027 elections, the Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation believes that now is the time for all stakeholders to come together and support a candidate who can genuinely represent the interests of all Nigerians.”

“We urge former President Goodluck Jonathan to consider this call and to step forward as a candidate who can unite our country and lead us towards a brighter future,” he stated.

Highlighting the challenges facing Nigeria, including economic struggles, insecurity, unemployment, and widespread banditry, Mustapha stressed the need for a leader with proven integrity and a commitment to national unity.

“Nigeria is at a crossroads. We are grappling with significant issues that threaten our stability and progress.”

“We need a leader who can bring all Nigerians together, regardless of their background,” he added.

Mustapha praised Jonathan’s previous tenure, saying he demonstrated strong democratic principles and consistently prioritized the welfare of citizens.

The group believes that Jonathan possesses the vision and leadership experience necessary to steer the country towards recovery.

“His leadership style is one that fosters inclusivity and economic advancement, which is exactly what our nation needs at this critical juncture.”

“Under Jonathan’s leadership, we can work towards restoring Nigeria’s lost glory on the international stage and within our borders,” Mustapha emphasized.

Buhari Youth Organisation (BYO) was originally a youth-driven support group for former President Muhammadu Buhari.

DAILY GAZETTE recall that Jonathan had previously lost his re-election bid to Buhari in 2015.

Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding Jonathan’s eligibility to run again was settled in 2022 when the Federal High Court in Bayelsa ruled in his favor.

Justice Dashen, who presided over the case, determined that Jonathan remained eligible to contest future presidential elections.

The judge explained that Jonathan’s assumption of office in 2010 followed the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua, and that the constitutional provision limiting a president’s terms could not be retroactively applied to disqualify him.

Dashen further clarified that since no presidential election was conducted in 2010, Jonathan’s 2010 swearing-in could not be counted against him in terms of constitutional term limits.

Senator Godswill Akpabio,

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to popular social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, demanding he apologise for remarks made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio regarding his trip to the Vatican for the Pope’s funeral.

In a viral video, VeryDarkMan criticised Akpabio, arguing that given the widespread insecurity across Nigeria, the Senate President should have prioritised visiting states like Benue, Plateau, Kwara, Ogun, and Enugu, which have been severely affected by violence, rather than travelling abroad.

According to the influencer, “the Senate President lacked the moral standing to attend the Pope’s funeral when he ought to be consoling communities affected by violence across the country.”

Reacting to the video, the South-South Zonal chapter of the APC condemned VeryDarkMan’s statements and, through a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, demanded an apology within a week.

The party’s warning was conveyed by Blessing Agbomhere, the Zonal Organizing Secretary of the South-South APC.

The statement read: “VeryDarkMan is becoming notorious for blackmail, slander, and character assassination while pretending to be an advocate for the masses and a social crusader.”

“The unwarranted verbal attack on the number three citizen of Nigeria, who did not send himself to Rome but was duly nominated by the President to lead a delegation to represent Nigeria — what exactly is wrong with that?”

The South-South APC defended the government’s approach to insecurity, stating, “Upon his return from France and the UK, Tinubu met with the security chiefs, and during the meeting, he gave them marching orders to ensure that a different approach is deployed in the fight against insecurity.”

“Does this sound like a man who is not serious about protecting the lives and property of Nigerians?”

The party further stressed that “the complex security problems in the country cannot be wished away with a wave of the hand.”

DAILY GAZETTE had earlier reported that Senate President Akpabio was appointed to head a high-profile Nigerian delegation to attend Pope Francis’ funeral in Vatican City on Saturday.

This was confirmed through a statement issued Friday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu.

The Nigerian delegation included Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu; President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji; Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah; and Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Ignatius Ayua Kaigama.

Onanuga explained, “The delegation will formally deliver a letter conveying President Tinubu’s sympathy and condolences on Pope Francis’ passing to the Acting Head of the Vatican.”

President Tinubu had earlier paid tribute to Pope Francis, describing him as “a humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions.”

Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, just one day after presiding over Easter Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.

In his tribute, President Tinubu reflected that the Pope’s death immediately after the Easter celebration “symbolises a sacred return to his Maker, offering renewed hope to Christians worldwide.”

Uche Nwosu, a prominent chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress and former Chief of Staff to the Imo State Governor, has strongly criticized any political group or individual pushing for a transfer of power back to the North in 2027, describing such moves as unpatriotic.

Speaking on Saturday during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja, Nwosu firmly maintained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves a second term based on the established tradition of power rotation between the South and North since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.

“I am solidly for the South serving its 8 years. It is unfair for anybody to say that the South should not complete 8 years.”

“We have President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the south now, why should we at this point in time be talking of moving the power to the north?” Nwosu questioned.

He further emphasized: “President Buhari just finished 8 years. It is justifiable that the south must complete its 8 years before talking of power shift.”

“Those agitating for that power should go back to the north are being selfish. Whoever is supporting north to take power at this point in time is not patriotic and not a true Nigerian.”

Addressing the recent coalition of opposition politicians, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai, aimed at opposing Tinubu’s re-election, Nwosu dismissed the alliance as insignificant.

While acknowledging that coalitions are part of political dynamics, he stated that the Atiku-led effort “died on arrival” and predicted it would not undermine APC’s chances in the 2027 elections.

In defense of the Tinubu administration, Nwosu rejected criticisms suggesting poor performance, arguing that two years is too short a period to fairly judge any government’s achievements.

He noted, however, that President Tinubu has already made notable progress in socio-economic and infrastructural development within the short span of his leadership.

Commenting on the wave of defections from opposition parties to the APC, Nwosu said the trend was expected and should not cause alarm.

He dismissed fears that Nigeria is drifting towards a one-party system, pointing out that opposition parties like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) still hold governorship seats and other elected offices across the country.

Turning to the pressing issue of insecurity, Nwosu acknowledged the challenges but stressed that the problem predates the current administration.

He called for stronger community policing efforts as a solution to the country’s security woes.

“The government needs to find a way to end it. To cure a disease, you must identify the root cause of the disease first.”

“I suggest we need community policing which will involve all the rural communities in the country. At this level, the traditional rulers will be the head with helpers from the youths,” Nwosu proposed.

He added, “These are the people who have the information about their localities and so they should be able to secure it with the active involvement of security agencies.”

“Besides, we need to secure our borders with the help of the communities in those locations as well. I am happy the President met with the security chiefs and the national security adviser (NSA) to proffer a lasting solution to the menace.”