Salisu Lukman Leaves ADC Amid Tensions with El-Rufai

Salisu Lukman, a former top member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and ally of former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has left the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In his resignation letter to the ADC National Chairman, David Mark, Lukman pointed to "painful, hostile treatment" from party leaders in Kaduna. He specifically mentioned El-Rufai as a key reason for his exit.

Lukman expressed that decisions about party leadership in Kaduna made him feel like he was treated poorly. He said it made him feel like a "bastard," which led him to pull out of party activities. He also mentioned that his dream of making the ADC a strong democratic option had faded. He accused party leaders of putting their personal interests first instead of working to strengthen democracy in Nigeria.

"For many coalition leaders, the aim to rescue our democracy is just about doing what they want, even when it repeats the bad habits that ruined our old parties," Lukman wrote. He warned that the fights within the ADC could hurt its chances in the upcoming 2027 elections, possibly making it a small player.

Lukman also claimed that former Rivers State Governor and ADC vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, ignored party rules in Kaduna. He said Amaechi was trying to work with people who have "questionable commitment."

"Whatever he wants to do with them is certainly not about building the party into a strong democratic party, which is why the views of those of us from Kaduna do not matter. This is disrespectful, and I wish him good luck," Lukman said.

He felt that El-Rufai and his supporters saw him as the "problem," which pushed him to step back. He thanked everyone for the chance to serve but said his issues were due to the "disdainful treatment" from El-Rufai's group.

"It is better to be inactive than to continue to chase dashed expectations," Lukman said, asking the party leaders to respect his decision as he thinks about his political future.

So far, the ADC leadership and the teams of El-Rufai and Amaechi have not responded to Lukman's resignation.