While Lukman's resignation seemed to be voluntary, reports suggest that it may be linked to his protest against the purported endorsement of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the immediate-past Governor of Kano State, as the next national chairman of the APC. This alleged endorsement was reportedly backed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and several governors within the party.
Lukman's departure comes after a series of internal conflicts, most notably with the former national chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu. He had expressed strong opposition to what he described as Senator Adamu's dictatorial style of governance, leading to a crisis that eventually involved the resignation of Senator Iyiola Omisore, the party's national secretary, and former Governor of Nasarawa State.
In his resignation letter, Lukman expressed his disappointment with the current state of the APC, stating, "the atmosphere in the party is completely at variance with the founding vision of forming a progressive party." He expressed concern that certain actions taken by the party's leadership were not in line with democratic principles and progressive ideals, which he believes are essential for the growth of the party and the nation.
Despite his resignation from the national leadership, Lukman emphasized that he would retain his membership in the party, expressing hope that the party's leaders, especially President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would reconsider their actions and refrain from engaging in unjust and illegal activities.
He also extended gratitude to the party's leaders in Kaduna, particularly Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, for nominating him to serve at the highest level of the party's leadership. Lukman assured that he would continue to support the party's success from the background, despite stepping away from an active leadership role.
The resignation of such a prominent figure within the APC has raised questions about the party's internal dynamics and the direction it may take in the future. As the party grapples with these internal challenges, its leaders will need to address the concerns raised by Lukman and other party members to maintain cohesion and unity within the ranks.
For now, the focus remains on how the APC leadership will respond to Lukman's departure and whether it will pave the way for potential changes in the party's policies and leadership structure in the coming months.
