Lukman: Tinubu's Actions Indicate Plans for a Single Term in Office.

Salihu Lukman, a former national vice chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Northwest, stated that Senator Ali Ndume's removal from the party and his position as Chief Whip of the Senate was a sign that President Bola Tinubu intended to serve only one term in office.

On Wednesday, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and National Secretary Senator Basiru Ajibola instructed Senator Ndume to resign as Chief Whip of the Senate and be replaced by Senator Tahir Monguno due to alleged rabid outbursts against the president. The letter was sent to the APC Caucus in the Senate.

In a statement released on Thursday under the headline "Fanatical Mindset," Lukman criticized the efforts to restrict free expression in the nation, saying it seemed as though the country was living in the Abacha era or worse. He emphasized that the nation cannot have democracy without democrats, claiming that individual liberties are under assault and fair trials are no longer guaranteed.

Lukman stated that the National Chairman, National Secretary, or any other official, or even the National Working Committee, had no authority to abruptly remove any major officer of the National Assembly under the APC Constitution. He added that the APC Senate Caucus has set a precedent that could further undermine the independence of the National Assembly, calling it unfortunate that they would allow such an illegal act.

Lukman said: “The way things are, it is almost as if President Asiwaju Tinubu has resolved that he will only be a one-term President. Under his watch, the living conditions of Nigerians are continuously getting worse. Instead of making efforts to develop clear plans to address the situation, the government is becoming more intolerant to criticism.

“Any democracy that cannot accommodate criticism is no democracy. A democracy that subverts fair hearing is a dictatorship. A democracy that permits a ruling party to demobilize its organs and inadvertently expels its members is worse than a military government.

“So long as APC, its leadership, and Asiwaju Tinubu’s government have taken the self-destructive path, which is equivalent to a declaration of working to end their tenure in 2027, patriotic Nigerians must help them to ensure their defeat in 2027!”