By Our Reporter
Salihu Lukman, former National Vice Chairman (North-west) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has criticized Northern politicians in President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Lukman, who recently resigned from the APC, argued that Northern politicians have been relegated to mere cheerleaders, blindly supporting the administration despite its shortcomings.
Lukman lamented the missed opportunity for Northern leaders to restore rational order and address regional challenges during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari. In a statement titled, “Explosive North: Open Letter to Northern Politicians,” he warned that the situation in the North could deteriorate further, with the potential for widespread looting by desperate and hungry citizens.
He expressed concern over the weakening and disorganization of Northern political leaders under Tinubu’s administration, criticizing even Vice President Kashim Shettima for failing to provide strong leadership. Lukman argued that officials from the North, including Shettima, are more focused on self-preservation than defending the region’s interests.
“With every respect, hardly any official of the current administration of President Asiwaju Tinubu from the North, including Sen. Shettima, is willing and able to take the needed risk to defend the interest of the North. Painfully, what is emerging is that most leaders from the North are more concerned about self-preservation in the government,” Lukman stated.
He highlighted internal conflicts within the presidency and the early scheming for the 2027 elections, which he attributed to the praise-singing behavior of Vice President Shettima. Lukman also criticized the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for diminishing the stature of his office and Northern politicians, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, for becoming absentee public servants.
Lukman concluded by criticizing Northern politicians for their lack of effective service delivery and the deteriorating living conditions under Tinubu’s administration.