In a scathing critique, Salihu Lukman, the former National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the North-west, has unleashed a torrent of criticism against Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani. Lukman asserts that Sani’s days in office are numbered, predicting his eventual defeat alongside President Bola Tinubu within the next three years.
Lukman accuses Governor Sani of instigating a proxy war against his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai, suggesting that he is acting as a pawn in a grander power struggle for the presidency. The former APC official warns the Governor that the campaign to undermine the APC and President Tinubu has only just begun, and it will find fertile ground in Kaduna State.
In an open letter titled “Issues of Politics and Governance in Kaduna: The Truth,” Lukman addressed a host of political figures including Nasir El-Rufai, Ramalan Yero, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Mal. B. A. Law-al, Hon. Garba Datti, Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi, Alh. Yusuf Mairago, Alh. Lawal Samaila Yakawad, Alh. Bashir Abubakar Alhaji, and Mal. Mohammed Sani Dattijo. He cautions Governor Uba Sani that his actions will set a dangerous precedent that may come back to haunt him.
Expressing genuine concern, Lukman states, “I am honestly worried for you. You are setting a precedent that will hurt you.
All I can say is, be careful. At most, within the next seven years, you will be out. You must acknowledge that without Mallam’s support, it would have been nearly impossible for you to reach your current position.”
He continues, “The privilege of being a Governor comes with an expiration date. In your case, if you are fortunate, it may last another seven years.
However, given the unfolding events, I believe the default expiry date for your tenure is a mere three years from now. Both you and President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu have exhibited worrisome signs of straying from democratic principles.”
Lukman goes on to express disappointment in the autocratic behavior displayed by both Governor Sani and President Tinubu. He warns that if left unchecked, their actions could lead to the destruction of the democratic progress achieved in the last 25 years.
Lukman recounts a meeting held a couple of months ago, which he hoped would be an opportunity for constructive dialogue. However, it turned out to be a mere photo opportunity, and subsequent attempts to reconvene were thwarted by internal power struggles.
He laments, “This is consistent with the tradition in the APC. It is the only political party in the world that exists without holding meaningful meetings, and its leaders seem comfortable with this.
This is certainly not the democracy we fought for. While you claim to have been part of the struggle for democracy, I am uncertain if your current management style can justify your contributions.”
In a heartfelt plea, Lukman concludes, “Mallam Uba, I speak to you as an elder brother. The way I have been treated in the past year has forced me to reassess whether I want to continue witnessing the frustration of witnessing our hard-earned efforts go to waste.
I have dedicated my entire life to campaigning for a better society, but our current reality fails to reflect the kind of society we envision.”
