Chrys
Vice-chairman of the All Progressives Congress in the
North-West, Salihu Lukman, has explained why he believes the Labour Party is
more popular than other political parties in Nigeria.
According to the APC chieftain, the party’s (Labour Party’s)
popularity stems from the frustration of Nigerians with other political
parties, including the ruling party, the APC.
This was contained in a statement, on Tuesday, and made
available to journalists.
In his opinion, Nigerians are tired of the docility and lack
of innovation characteristic of the ruling party, hence their resolve to seek a
party with a vibrant and functional structure.
He noted that besides the usual structure already in
existence for years, no brilliant structural adjustment or innovation has been
initiated in the ruling APC.
He said, “In addition to these organs (NAC, NEC and national
caucus), the amended APC constitution created three new structures, namely the
women’s wing; youth wing and persons living with disabilities wing.
“Outside the
initiatives of the presiding officers of these three structures — national
women’s leader, national youth leader and national leader of persons living
with disabilities—since April 2022, following the assumption of office of the
Sen. Abdullahi Adamu-led NWC, nothing has been done to organise the women’s,
youth and persons living with disabilities wings.
“The popularity of the Labour Party during the 2023
elections is partly a reflection of the frustration of Nigerians with our
political parties, including the APC.
“Nigerians are looking for parties with vibrant structures
whose internal debates and contests would aggregate the diverse interests of
Nigerians.”
Lukman said as long as the APC is operated as a “closed
structure,” President Bola Tinubu would lack the needed political legitimacy to
win the support of Nigerians especially when it comes to implementing difficult
policy choices.
“No doubt, difficult decisions must be taken to effectively
resolve our challenges as a nation. However, in taking those difficult
decisions, it will be much easier to implement when the government is able to
win the support of Nigerians through engagements with organised groups,” he
said.
