Salihu Lukman, a former National Vice Chairman of the APC in the North-west region, has expressed criticism towards Northern politicians serving in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Lukman, who recently resigned from the APC, conveyed his sentiments in an open letter titled “Explosive North: Open Letter to Northern Politicians.”
In the letter, Lukman characterized these politicians as individuals who prioritize their self-interests over the welfare of the region.
He likened them to members of a choir group who poorly sing the phrase “on your mandate we stand,” disregarding the unstable and faltering reality exhibited by the holder of that mandate.
Lukman raised concerns regarding the diminishing strength and disorganization among the leaders of the Northern region. He specifically highlighted Vice President Kashim Shettima, who holds the highest position from the North, for failing to offer the necessary leadership.
He stated, “So far, one year has pass into President Asiwaju Tinubu administration. No doubt, Northern political leaders are becoming weaker and more disorganised. Even the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima GCON, who is the highest office holder and by virtue of that should have served as the needed rallying point for Northern politicians, is anything but a political leader.
“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 concern about self-preservation in the government.
“Because of self-preservation, already scheming for 2027 has commenced. Within the Presidency there are indicative cold war dynamics and positioning, which is alleged to be responsible for the praise-singing disposition of Vice President Shettima. The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mal. Nuhu Ribadu has devalued an exalted office almost to the status of a Protocol Office to President Asiwaju Tinubu.
“Virtually all other Northern politicians holding offices in this government, including the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume are absentee public servants who have been reduced to members of a choir group poorly singing ‘on your mandate we stand’ irrespective of the shaky and staggering reality being demonstrated by the mandate holder with reference to poor service delivery and crashing living conditions in the last one year,” he added.
