Former National Vice Chairman (North-West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Mohammed Lukman, has warned that the personal ambitions of key opposition leaders could hand President Bola Tinubu and the ruling party an easy victory in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on Arise News Morning Show and later on Channels Television on Friday, Lukman urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi and other opposition leaders to set aside personal interests and unite behind a single presidential candidate.

He lamented that the opposition was repeating the mistakes that weakened its chances in the 2023 elections.

“As a Nigerian, I am not excited by all this development because… we are going back to 2023, repeating almost the same things that happened in 2023 and expecting a miracle to happen,” he said.

According to Lukman, while recent legal victories involving opposition parties may be significant, they would achieve little without genuine political unity.

He expressed concern over the country’s current state of governance, arguing that the absence of a formidable opposition had deprived Nigerians of a credible alternative.

“We are all troubled by the fact that here we are boxed with an APC government and an elected leadership that is hardly accountable. By the day, by the hour, things keep getting worse,” he said.

Lukman questioned whether opposition leaders were placing their presidential ambitions above Nigeria’s national interest.

“We must pose a question: Is the personal ambition of leaders in the opposition far more important than the destiny of rescuing the country?” he asked.

“I want APC and President Tinubu defeated out of government in 2027, but the way we are going about it, I am frustrated.”

The former APC chieftain disclosed that he had suspended his membership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) about two weeks ago out of frustration, saying partisan affiliation alone would not solve Nigeria’s political challenges.

He said consultations were ongoing among political stakeholders to persuade opposition leaders to return to the negotiating table and build a united front ahead of the 2027 elections.

“This country is bigger than all of them,” Lukman said, urging opposition figures to negotiate a deal that prioritises Nigeria over individual ambitions.

On electoral reforms, Lukman maintained that the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be judged by its conduct rather than endorsements from political leaders.

“The mere fact that President Tinubu will be the one giving testimony about the neutrality of INEC highlights some problems,” he said.

“INEC should be the one to prove to Nigerians that they are neutral.”

Lukman also advocated a less militarised electoral process, saying elections should become routine civic exercises similar to those in countries such as Ghana.

Speaking later on Channels Television, he warned that a divided opposition could make the 2027 presidential election a mere formality.

“I would say that 2027 will be more of a coronation than an election,” he said.

He argued that the economic hardship facing Nigerians was evident and did not require opinion polls to confirm.

“You don’t need a poll to know Nigerians are suffering. The reality is reflected in the daily lives of citizens,” he said.

Lukman admitted that the APC had departed from the progressive ideals on which it was founded in 2013 and criticised the implementation of key economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate liberalisation, saying they were introduced without adequate measures to cushion their impact on citizens.

He, however, insisted that the opposition bears the greater responsibility for changing Nigeria’s political direction by presenting a united and credible alternative.

“My appeal is simple. Opposition leaders must prove that they love Nigeria more than their personal ambitions. They should negotiate, unite and present one credible candidate Nigerians can rally behind in 2027,” he said.