Former National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, recently expressed his belief that there is minimal disparity between the ruling party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Lukman, in an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics as monitored by NewsNow, commented that the APC displayed worsening tendencies compared to the PDP it aimed to supplant.
He noted a shift within the PDP towards a centralized structure devoid of internal democracy, emphasizing the imposition of candidates on the voting populace as a crucial concern that necessitated the formation of the APC.
Stressing the genesis of the APC as a collaborative effort by opposition parties to unseat the PDP and address prevalent irregularities, Lukman underscored the party’s foundational principles.
“The essence of the APC was clear to us. Recognizing the flaws in the PDP, especially candidate imposition and lack of accountability among elected officials, prompted our vision for the APC as a departure from these practices, hence the ‘change’ mantra,” Lukman stated.
Highlighting a deviation from the party’s initial social democratic vision with a focus on health, education, and social welfare, Lukman attributed the doctrinal shift within the APC to challenges arising during President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.
Expressing anticipation for change under the leadership of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lukman regretted the exacerbation of existing issues within the party.