Former National Vice Chairman (North-West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has said he suspended his membership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) out of frustration and anger, accusing opposition leaders of abandoning the collective goal of rescuing Nigeria in pursuit of personal political ambitions.

Lukman, who made the disclosure during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Friday, said his decision followed growing disappointment with developments within the opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general election.

The former Director-General of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) had last month announced the suspension of his ADC membership, citing what he described as “painful and hostile treatment” by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai. In a letter addressed to ADC National Chairman David Mark, Lukman alleged that he had been consistently sidelined in matters relating to leadership representation in Kaduna State, leaving him feeling “reduced to the status of a bastard.”

He also accused the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, of associating with individuals he claimed were not loyal to the ADC.

Speaking on the programme, Lukman said partisan politics alone could not address Nigeria’s current challenges.

“About two weeks ago, out of frustration, I announced the suspension of my membership. Because, look, we are faced with a serious challenge. Partisan affiliation will not get us out of the mess we are facing now,” he said.

Despite his grievances, Lukman said he was prepared to return to the ADC if opposition leaders agreed on a common framework capable of presenting a credible alternative to Nigerians in the 2027 elections.

“I am ready to return my membership of the ADC on the basis of ensuring that we bring all leaders of the ADC back. Nigeria is bigger than the ADC,” he said.

He added that the opposition needed to negotiate objective criteria for selecting a consensus candidate, insisting that such a process would inspire public confidence.

According to Lukman, the opposition coalition was originally conceived to unite political leaders around Nigeria’s pressing challenges, but personal ambitions had overtaken that vision.

“When we started the advocacy for the coalition and for the unity of opposition leaders, the expectation was that the political leadership in the opposition were rational people. They would be able to see the need and the danger before the country. But that is now subsumed in their personal ambition,” he said.

Lukman also expressed disappointment over the ADC’s failure to unveil a policy document prepared by a 50-member committee on which he served as secretary.

He said the committee had completed “a very good job,” but lamented that the delay in releasing the document, coupled with the conduct of the party’s candidates, had weakened confidence that any policy commitments would eventually be implemented.

“We can unveil policies and make declarative statements about policy commitments, but the extent to which we can get our candidates elected, held accountable, and regulated in such a way that they implement the policies contained in the manifesto is already weak,” he said. (The Nation, excluding headline)