Salihu Lukman, former National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called out ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, accusing him of contributing to Nigeria’s ongoing leadership challenges.
Lukman, reacting to Obasanjo’s recent statement comparing leadership selection to Satan’s influence, criticized the former President for perpetuating the “anointed successor” culture, which he claims has exacerbated the country’s political and economic problems.
In an open letter titled “Satanic Leadership and Nigeria’s Boiling Point”, Lukman urged Obasanjo to take responsibility for his role in institutionalizing candidate imposition, particularly during his leadership in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2007 elections. Lukman emphasized that this practice, which became the norm under Obasanjo’s tenure, has led to a weakened democracy and entrenched authoritarian tendencies in Nigerian politics.
“The imposition of candidates became an acceptable political rule, which ultimately caused Nigeria to lose its democratic bearings,” Lukman said, adding that the fallout from these decisions continues to plague the country today.
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