By Milcah Tanimu

Salihu Lukman, a former National Vice Chairman (North-West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has criticized Northern politicians serving in President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Lukman, who recently resigned from the APC, expressed his concerns in a statement titled “Explosive North: Open Letter to Northern Politicians.”

In the letter, Lukman claimed that Northern politicians have been reduced to mere supporters, blindly endorsing the administration despite evident challenges. He argued that the Northern political leadership missed an opportunity to restore rational order and address regional challenges during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Lukman warned that the situation in the North is deteriorating, with widespread hunger potentially leading to unrest and looting. He emphasized the need for political leaders to take decisive action to prevent further decline.

“So far, one year has passed in President Asiwaju Tinubu’s administration. Northern political leaders are becoming weaker and more disorganized,” Lukman stated. He criticized Vice President Kashim Shettima for not serving as a unifying figure for Northern politicians and accused other Northern officials of prioritizing self-preservation over regional interests.

Lukman highlighted internal conflicts within the presidency, suggesting that positioning for the 2027 elections has already begun. He specifically criticized the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, for their perceived lack of effective leadership.

“Virtually all other Northern politicians holding offices in this government have been reduced to members of a choir group poorly singing ‘on your mandate we stand’ irrespective of the shaky and staggering reality being demonstrated by the mandate holder with reference to poor service delivery and crashing living conditions in the last one year,” Lukman concluded.