The African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led opposition coalition has suffered a major internal setback after prominent politician Salihu Lukman announced the suspension of his membership in both the party and the coalition, blaming former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai for what he described as sustained hostility and political marginalisation. In a political season where unity is marketed as the main campaign slogan, the coalition now finds itself explaining why one of its key architects has decided to leave the building before the foundation is complete.
While the development is serious, it also offers a satirical reminder that in Nigerian politics, coalitions often begin with handshakes, group photographs and ambitious speeches before discovering that everyone expected to sit in the front row. Lukman’s departure has therefore raised fresh questions about the opposition’s readiness for the 2027 general elections.
Lukman :When Coalition Builders Become Coalition Casualties
According to Lukman, months of disagreements over leadership representation and decision-making in Kaduna eventually became unbearable. He accused El-Rufai and his political associates of deliberately sidelining him despite his efforts to unite opposition forces and strengthen the coalition’s structures in the state.
Satirically speaking, the coalition appears to have organised an internal competition titled “Who Gets Ignored First?” Unfortunately for Lukman, he believes he won the grand prize. Rather than continue what he described as hostile political treatment, he announced that becoming politically inactive was preferable to chasing expectations that had already collapsed under the weight of internal rivalry.
2027 Dreams Meet Internal Reality
Lukman’s resignation has exposed visible cracks within the ADC coalition at a time when opposition leaders are attempting to project unity ahead of the 2027 elections. Political observers have consistently noted that maintaining cohesion among influential politicians from different backgrounds remains one of the coalition’s biggest challenges.
In his message, Lukman also questioned whether some coalition leaders genuinely intend to build a democratic alternative or merely recreate the same political culture they previously criticised. He further expressed concerns over outreach efforts involving former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, arguing that individuals committed to strengthening the party were increasingly being overlooked. As the coalition works to reassure supporters, the latest disagreement serves as another reminder that building an opposition alliance may require more than press conferences, smiling photographs and carefully rehearsed declarations of unity.
Lukman’s exit represents one of the most significant public disagreements within the ADC coalition ahead of the 2027 elections. Whether party leaders can resolve the underlying disputes or whether more prominent figures will follow the same path remains uncertain. OGM News NG will continue monitoring developments as the coalition responds to the growing concerns over its internal unity and future electoral ambitions.
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