Era of winning elections in North solely on Buhari’s endorsement gone – Salihu Lukman

Mallam Salihu Lukman, former National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress and now chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) opposition coalition, has said the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari signifies an end to the era when his endorsement automatically translating to victory in elections.

Speaking on Wednesday on Arise Television, the ADC chieftain noted that even before his death, it was quite doubtful if Buhari could influence electoral victory the way he did in the past.

Lukman urged all leaders in the ADC coalition to be united and build a strong political party that will not only defeat the APC but also be capable of rescuing Nigerians from its current woes.

“What we must learn, most especially in the coalition, is that we don’t have somebody with the kind of intimidating profile like that of the late late Buhari, and what that means is that all the leaders of the coalition need to be humble and acknowledge that they need one another and, in the context of that, develop strong teamwork. I think that is the challenge we are all facing. Our leaders must have a kind of team spirit.

“It is not about succeeding to defeat APC and Tinubu but succeeding to produce a new, fresh political template that will begin to meet the expectations of Nigerians. That is what I have been emphasising. We must try to build a strong political party.

“I am aware, being somebody from the North, I know that many politicians look forward to him raising their hands and endorsing them. That translates almost into victory in many places in the North. And that, in a way, made politicians lazy.

“Now we don’t have any figure like that, which is why today I am one of those in the coalition who keeps raising the point that leaders of the coalition must remember, we don’t have somebody like late President Buhari anymore, who, when he raises your hand, it translates into victory.

“What that means is that politicians must be humble and begin to engage citizens with more listening ears and disposition when they promise and win election to begin to meet those expectations of citizens,” he stated.

DAILY POST reports that Buhari was given a state burial on Tuesday.

Buhari’s exit has opened a new chapter of challenges and uncertainties for Tinubu and the APC ahead of 2027.

Era of winning elections in North solely on Buhari’s endorsement gone – Salihu Lukman