Salihu Lukman Confirms Resignation from APC, Joins ADC, Urges Focus on Structure in Opposition Coalition
Former National Vice Chairman (North West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has confirmed his resignation from the ruling party and announced his formal membership in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Lukman made the disclosure during a media interview while addressing the formation of the opposition coalition, Coalition United for Impact (CUI), and the challenges ahead.
He cautioned against early focus on who will emerge as the coalition’s presidential candidate in 2027, stressing that the real work of building a credible political alternative was just beginning.
He stated that while the ADC is legally recognised as a political party, the internal structures necessary to drive its goals have not yet been fully established. According to him, the coalition’s immediate task is to set up proper frameworks, define a clear national agenda, and negotiate internally to ensure unity and direction.
“People are asking who the presidential candidate will be. But the real work of forming this coalition and setting up functional structures is just starting,” he said.
Reflecting on his experience with the APC, Lukman admitted that the party had failed to live up to its early promises, warning that the new coalition must avoid repeating such mistakes. He insisted that meaningful reform would require commitment, tough internal negotiations, and a collective resolve to prioritize governance over personal ambition.
“I was part of the APC from its formation. We made all kinds of promises and ended up becoming a disappointment. We don’t want to go through that again. Nigerians deserve better,” he said.
Lukman emphasized that the coalition was not formed to simply criticize the APC or President Bola Ahmed Tinubu but to provide practical solutions to the nation’s challenges. He said the focus should be on creating enforceable rules that would guide political declarations and commitments, ensuring that promises made to Nigerians are kept.
“We’re saying people should suspend declarations of ambition—not to suppress their aspirations—but to ensure that when they eventually declare, they can deliver on their promises,” he explained.
He acknowledged that some members of the coalition have gone ahead to declare their political ambitions, an action that contradicts the consensus reached by the coalition’s leadership to prioritize building internal capacity first.
“Yes, we’ve agreed to form the coalition, but the work is just beginning. Everyone must understand that rules come first, ambitions later,” he added.
Confirming his political status, Lukman said, “I’ve resigned my membership of the APC. I am now a member of the ADC.”
The Coalition United for Impact is being positioned as a major opposition bloc ahead of the 2027 elections, with a focus on unity, reform, and providing a credible alternative to the current administration.
