Salihu Lukman: Northern political leaders have become weak, disorganised

Salihu Lukman, a former vice-chair of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the north-west, says northern political leaders have become weak and disorganised.

In an open letter to the leaders on Sunday, Lukman said not even Vice-President Kashim Shettima is willing to take “the risk” to defend “northern interests”.

The former director-general of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) said most of the northern leaders are worried about “self preservation” in government.

“No doubt, northern political leaders are becoming weaker and more disorganised,” he said.

“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 all 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.

“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.”

Lukman added that northern leaders in opposition parties are not any better because they are only focused on contesting the 2027 polls.

“We need to caution political leaders in the country that things are about to get out of hand any moment from now, especially in the north,” he said.

“If care is not taken, hungry people who are everywhere in the North will start breaking into homes and looting properties of innocent citizens.”

Lukman said Nigerians must unite and develop new impactful political frontiers for the good of the country.