On Tuesday, the former National Vice Chairman (North-West) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, expressed strong objections to Nasir El-Rufai’s non-confirmation as a ministerial nominee, describing it as overplayed politics.
While 45 other nominees were confirmed on August 7 after a week-long screening, the confirmation of former Kaduna State governor, Stella Okotete (Delta State), and Abubakar Danladi (Taraba State) was postponed with the pretext that the trio were still undergoing security clearance.
During a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Lukman argued for El-Rufai’s confirmation.
“My personal opinion is that, again, politics is being overplayed. If other nominees are cleared, I don’t see any reason why Mallam Nasir will not be cleared,” he said.
“Sincerely speaking, the earlier we reduce political considerations in terms of the determination of decisions with respect to appointments, the better for the country.”
Lukman reiterated his objections of Senator Abdullahi Ganduje’s recent appointment as the ruling APC’s National Chairman, which the party’s previous vice chairman foreshadowed with his resignation last month.
The APC veteran indicated in his resignation letter dated July 26, 2023, and sent to the then-acting APC National Chairman, Abubakar Kyari, that he would prefer not be a source of distraction to President Bola Tinubu’s incoming administration.
Elaborating further Politics Today, Lukman described the party’s decision to elect Ganduje as incorrect.
“Dr Ganduje has emerged as the chairman of the party and I’m loyal; I respect it. But I disagree, it is not the right decision. That we’re living with a wrong decision is a different matter entirely,” he said.
“But as progressive politicians, we must have the commitment to continue to engage the issue such that we, collectively, are able to correct any wrong decision that has been taken.”
Former members of the APC National Executive Committee contended that the position of APC National Chairman should have been designated for a Christian from the North Central to balance out the Muslim-Muslim administration.
