Lukman Walks Away From ADC, Faults El-Rufai

Former National Vice Chairman (North-West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has suspended his membership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and withdrawn from active participation in the opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to Ireporter Online, Lukman attributed his decision to what he described as sustained hostility from former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and some of his political associates over the leadership and direction of the coalition in Kaduna State.

The development was conveyed in a message addressed to the National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, with copies sent to other leaders of the opposition coalition.

In the message, Lukman apologised to the party’s national leadership, acknowledging that his decision might disappoint members. He stated that he could no longer endure what he described as persistent hostile treatment from some political leaders in Kaduna, particularly El-Rufai.

Lukman alleged that decisions regarding the coalition’s leadership structure in Kaduna had been manipulated in ways that sidelined him despite his contributions toward building and strengthening the opposition movement. He claimed he had been treated unfairly in a coalition he worked hard to establish.

The former APC chieftain disclosed that he had spent over a year trying to reconcile opposition figures and unite political stakeholders in Kaduna State. However, he alleged that El-Rufai and his supporters viewed him as an obstacle and orchestrated efforts to undermine his role within the coalition.

He said suspending his membership was a better option than remaining active in a political movement where his efforts had repeatedly been frustrated, adding that it was preferable to step aside than continue pursuing expectations that had been consistently dashed.

Lukman also raised concerns over the coalition’s commitment to democratic values, accusing some of its leaders of adopting exclusionary political tactics similar to those they had previously criticised within the ruling APC. He argued that these developments had weakened his confidence in the coalition’s ability to emerge as a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.

He further accused former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, of working with individuals in Kaduna whose dedication to developing the ADC was questionable. According to him, loyal party members who invested time and resources in building the party were being sidelined in favour of individuals without a proven commitment to the organisation.

Lukman warned that the situation had reduced the ADC to what he described as a marginal player in preparations for the next general elections.

Despite his criticisms, he expressed appreciation to Senator David Mark and other national leaders of the coalition, stressing that his decision was not a protest against the ADC’s national leadership but rather a response to the treatment he allegedly received from El-Rufai and some coalition figures in Kaduna.

He maintained that the prevailing internal circumstances had made it impossible for him to continue participating actively in the party and the opposition coalition.