As Nigeria’s political atmosphere begins to heat up ahead of the 2027 general elections, former state chairmen of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) have reaffirmed their commitment to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing loyalty to former President Muhammadu Buhari as their primary reason for staying within the party.
The position of the former CPC leaders was made known in a statement issued on Sunday, May 4, by the National Secretary of their forum, Sulaiman Oyaremi. The group made it clear that their political alignment remains with the APC due to their enduring allegiance to Buhari, under whose leadership the CPC merged with other parties to form the APC in 2013.
“Except for a few of us, we are unanimous in our decision to remain in the party with our principal, former President Muhammadu Buhari,” the statement read. “We owe it to ourselves to support the current leader of the party, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and contribute to building an inclusive APC where all stakeholders feel a sense of belonging.”
While reaffirming their loyalty to both Buhari and President Tinubu, the former chairmen expressed dissatisfaction with the treatment of former CPC members within the APC. According to them, many of their members have been unfairly marginalised in the distribution of appointments and excluded from the party’s core structures at both state and national levels.
“We have not been treated fairly in government appointments or party structures at both national and state levels,” they lamented, pointing out that the CPC bloc, despite its foundational role in forming the APC, has not received proportionate recognition.
In recent weeks, political analysts have speculated about a possible coalition involving disaffected CPC members aligning with opposition figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party leader Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. However, the forum distanced itself from such moves, denying any plans to defect or join opposition forces.
Their statement follows a strategic meeting held on April 16, led by former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, during which prominent ex-CPC members reiterated their allegiance to the APC and President Tinubu. However, this move drew criticism from former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), who argued that Al-Makura lacked the mandate to represent the broader CPC bloc.
The forum acknowledged the existing leadership vacuum within the CPC fold, stating, “Unfortunately, with several camps speaking for the defunct CPC, the situation has exposed a lack of coherent leadership within the bloc.”
Despite these internal challenges, the former CPC state chairmen urged unity and democratic tolerance, stating that while they respect the decisions of those who have left the APC, their choice is to remain, guided by their shared political history and unwavering loyalty to Buhari.
Looking ahead, the forum urged the Tinubu administration to shift its attention from political scheming for 2027 and instead address Nigeria’s pressing national challenges—particularly rising insecurity and deepening economic woes.
“We urge the President and APC governments at all levels to prioritise tackling these existential issues rather than focusing on the next election,” they said.
Their call highlights the need for governance that prioritises public welfare over political survival, especially as the country grapples with inflation, joblessness, and a deteriorating security situation.
As the political tide gradually turns toward 2027, the position of these former CPC leaders could shape internal power dynamics within the APC. Their loyalty to Buhari remains a significant factor in the party’s unity—or lack thereof—in the months ahead.