A former northwest vice chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of conducting himself in a way that is almost reducing the Red Chamber to the status of a parastatal of the federal government.

In a reaction to Wednesday’s removal of Ali Ndume as Senate chief whip over his criticisms of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, Lukman said the action of the APC under the leadership of former governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, showed the fanatical mindset undermining Nigerian democracy.

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In a statement titled: “Fanatical Mindset,” released in Abuja yesterday, the former director-general of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) said it was a shame that the APC Senate Caucus would permit such an illegal act.

He said that by doing so, the lawmakers had set a precedent that would further erode the independence of the National Assembly (NASS).

He said, “Somehow, the letter directing the removal of Senator Ndume confirmed the allegations of a government of Kakistocrats. Dr Ganduje, Senator Ajibola (national secretary), and perhaps a small group of party leaders who have caged the president usurped the powers of the APC organs and proceeded to pass judgment on Ndume.

“It is very doubtful if members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party are given the benefit of being part of those who decided to remove Sen. Ndume as the chief whip of the Senate. It is also doubtful if members of the APC Caucus in the Senate are consulted before the decision is taken to remove Ndume and appoint Senator Monguno as his replacement.

“It is simply an action taken by party leaders with the fanatical mindset of blocking any attempt to scrutinise the president and actions being taken either directly by him or by his representatives, in whatever guise,” he said.

Lukman also said that as long as APC, its leadership and Tinubu’s government have taken the self-destructive path, equivalent to a declaration of working to end their tenure in 2027, patriotic Nigerians must help them ensure their defeat in 2027.

„All patriotic Nigerian political leaders must unite to restore Nigeria‘s democracy. Nigerian opposition leaders must unite to build a strong political party to rebuild democracy.

„All our opposition leaders and orphaned leaders of APC must unite. Senator Ndume, being the newest APC orphan, is welcome to join the efforts of political leaders in the country to restore and rebuild our democracy,“ he said.