Ex-APC chieftain vows Tinubu must be unseated by all means
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, met behind closed doors with Abdulmumin Jibrin, an ally of the leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Despite Tinubu’s alleged plot to win the majority of the opposition politicians to his side before 2027, former National Vice Chairman (North-West) of APC, Salihu Lukman, has declared that Nigerians must unite to unseat him in the 2027 general elections democratically.
After the meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Jibrin, a member of the House of Representatives (representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano), hinted at the possibility of returning to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), months after helping NNPP secure a historic victory in Kano.
When asked if he was planning to defect to the APC, Jibrin responded cautiously: “I do not think it is time for that conversation, but everything is open and it’s a possibility. The most important thing is the stability of the country, the unity of the country. And I believe that when we get to the bridge, we’ll cross it.”
He described his visit to the Villa as unsurprising, citing the long-standing relationship between Tinubu and Kwankwaso.
“I came to see the President, and, of course, the long-term friendship that the President has also enjoyed with the national leader of NNPP, Kwankwaso. So, I do not think it’s anything surprising to see me here, to greet him, check on him and also discuss some national issues in the interest of the people,” Jibrin explained.
Fielding further questions, Jibrin dismissed suggestions that his visit was unusual, especially in light of recent tensions between the NNPP and the Presidency.
Kwankwaso had criticised the Tinubu administration for alleged marginalisation of the North in infrastructure projects.
“They are very experienced politicians,” Jibrin said. “The President is a first-class politician, and of course, the national leader of NNPP is also a thoroughbred politician. I believe they are committed to the peace, unity and prosperity of Nigeria.”
Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations in the 8th Assembly, Jibrin defected from the APC to the NNPP in the build-up to the 2023 elections. He emerged as one of Kwankwaso’s closest political allies and was pivotal in the party’s sweeping success in Kano. Before resigning from the APC, Lukman, a vocal critic of the party when Abdullahi Ganduje was the chairman, accused the Tinubu administration of failing woefully in economic and leadership responsibilities.
Lukman resigned from APC in June 2024 over a lack of internal democracy and poor leadership in the country. Speaking yesterday on Arise TV, in his new capacity as a promoter of the opposition coalition, ADC, Lukman said: “I am one of those who stood by Asiwaju when I was in APC. I campaigned for him, but the hard truth must be told; he has failed, and we feel it in our living conditions today.
“To that extent, therefore, as far as I’m concerned, we will exert our democratic rights to get him out of the place. But that will not in any way jeopardise any negotiation to protect issues of equity, inclusivity and what have you.”
In his resignation letter in 2024, Lukman accused the APC of deviating from its founding progressive ideology and becoming a platform for personal political interests.
