Salihu Lukman Suspends ADC Membership, Blames El-Rufai for ‘Hostile Treatment’

Former National Vice Chairman (North-West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has suspended his membership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing what he described as persistent hostile treatment by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai.

Lukman announced the decision in a statement addressed to the National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, saying he could no longer continue under conditions he described as disrespectful and marginalising.

According to him, he had been repeatedly sidelined in matters relating to leadership representation in Kaduna State, leaving him feeling “reduced to the status of a bastard.”

The former APC chieftain said he would take time away from active politics to reflect on his future, adding that his hope of helping to build the ADC into a strong democratic platform had been seriously weakened.

“For many coalition leaders, the objective of rescuing our democracy is just about allowing them to have their way even when their actions are reproducing the old habits that destroyed our former parties. Consequently, the ADC is gradually being reduced to a marginal participant in the 2027 elections,” Lukman stated.

He revealed that he had spent more than a year trying to unite political leaders in Kaduna State but alleged that el-Rufai and his supporters viewed him as an obstacle.

“I have decided to resolve the problem for them and everyone. I have suspended my membership of the party and the coalition because of the reasons above. It is better to be inactive than to continue pursuing dashed expectations,” he said.

Lukman also criticised former Rivers State Governor and ADC vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, accusing him of engaging with individuals in Kaduna whose loyalty to the party was questionable.

He argued that such engagements were not focused on strengthening the party and demonstrated a lack of respect for committed members working to build the ADC.

Despite suspending his membership, Lukman clarified that his decision would not affect his personal relationship with Senator David Mark and other leaders of the coalition.

He stressed that his action was specifically driven by what he described as the “disdainful treatment” he had received from some coalition leaders, particularly Nasir el-Rufai and his supporters in Kaduna.

Lukman served as Director-General of the Progressive Governors Forum before resigning from the APC in 2024 after publicly criticising the ruling party’s internal leadership and direction.

His suspension from the ADC marks another significant development within the opposition coalition ahead of preparations for the 2027 general election.