Salihu Lukman Criticizes Northern Leaders in Tinubu Administration, Warns of Potential Unrest

 Salihu Lukman, the former National Vice Chairman, North-west, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has criticized the Northerners in the Tinubu administration, likening them to a "choir group poorly singing 'on your mandate we stand,'" despite the administration's unstable performance.

Lukman expressed that Northern political leaders squandered the opportunity to restore rational order and effective leadership during the tenure of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari. He warned that if the current situation persists, it could lead to widespread unrest, with hungry people potentially resorting to breaking into homes and looting properties.

In his statement titled "Explosive North: Open Letter to Northern Politicians," which he personally signed after resigning from the APC, Lukman highlighted the growing disorganization and weakness among Northern political leaders one year into President Tinubu's administration. He criticized Vice President Sen. Kashim Shettima, noting that he, along with other Northern officials, has failed to defend the interests of the North.

Lukman pointed out that self-preservation has become a priority for these leaders, leading to early scheming for the 2027 elections and a lack of substantial governance. He accused the National Security Adviser, Mal. Nuhu Ribadu, of reducing his role to that of a protocol officer and described other Northern politicians in the administration, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, as absentee public servants focused on praise-singing rather than addressing the deteriorating living conditions and poor service delivery of the past year.