A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Director General of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Mallam Salihu Lukman, has written an open letter to former Kano state governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, warning him that his attempt to dump the ADC “will simply diminish you as someone who is self-centred” and inconsiderate of the stark harsh realities facing Nigerians.
Lukman said he was traumatised to see leaders with potentials of providing selfless services to Nigerians becoming self-absorbed in their personal ambitions.
In the open letter, titled: “You can’t run away from yourself,” addressed to Kwankwaso on Sunday, the ADC chieftain wondered how Kwankwaso, in less six weeks of joining ADC, be considering defecting to another party or some realignment? Asking “What has changed that wasn’t there before you joined?”
He said: “I am asking these questions, almost as academic exercise, knowing fully well you have already made up your mind. But for the purpose of clarity, I will highlight that there is nothing in ADC today that is unique to ADC.
According to Lukman, as someone who is eminently qualified and has what it takes to emerge as Presidential candidate, why will you (Kwankwaso) have to go outside ADC to emerge as Presidential candidate? The same question applies to Mr. Obi.
He also faulted the argument associated with Peter Obi that in the event of a primary election in ADC it will be impossible to defeat Atiku Abubakar.
“Some of the assumptions, which is more associated with indirect primary is that Alh. Atiku Abubakar will bribe his way to win the primary, which is quite unfair.
“Given that you are 69 years and by October, you will be 70, one will expect that your preoccupation at this point is to ensure that you leave a positive political legacy beyond achieving your personal ambition to rule Nigeria. One of such legacy will be how those of you with leadership responsibility can facilitate a new political orientation of collective leadership in the country.
“At this point therefore, rather than ‘exploring best options’, Nigerians will be more excited to see political leaders like you demonstrating the kind of selfless disposition to ensure unity and producing the needed collective leadership that will give all leaders and all parts of the country a sense of belonging.
“Without attempting to claim any credit, as some who was at the centre of the advocacy leading to the emergence of the coalition and the adoption of ADC as the political party for 2027, I must caution that the approach of defecting to another party, which you are about to take together with Mr. Obi will simply diminish you as someone who is self-centred and to that extent inconsiderate of the stark harsh realities facing citizens in the country. At your late age, I will appeal for moderation. Both of you have good records and you will not want to be on the wrong side of history.”
