POLITICS 2027: Tension As Buhari’s Loyalists, CPC Block Join Coalition, More Expected To Dump APC
Rachel Okporu Fadoju
The interim National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has claimed that several loyalists of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, particularly those from the now-defunct Congress for Progressive Change, had already joined their coalition.
Naija News reports that Buhari’s death has sparked speculation about the future of President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election.
Since Tinubu’s emergence in 2023, the influence of CPC loyalists has waned, with some key figures, such as former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, openly opposing Tinubu’s potential second-term bid.
With Buhari’s passing, political analysts believe the APC may face renewed challenges from the late leader’s formidable cult-like followership, which has been estimated at over 12 million.
In an interview with Punch, Abdullahi expressed optimism about the party’s future, stating that Buhari’s loyalists and the entire North are already with the ADC.
He said, “Most of the Buhari loyalists are already with us. The majority of them, the entire North, are already with our party. We are very confident. The passing of the former President will only cement that for us because that was his wish when he was alive that his members should join the coalition.
“As you can see, there is a strong representation of CPC and Buhari loyalists in the senior ranks of the coalition the likes of Babachir Lawal, Abubakar Malami, Isah Pantami, Emeka Nwajuba, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf Aregbesola and the rest of them. Those are Buhari people. And their presence in the leadership of the coalition indicates that that’s where Buhari stood.”
Abdullahi asserted that Buhari’s loyalists could not remain in the APC and watch President Tinubu continue to demonise Buhari’s legacy and blame him for Nigeria’s economic difficulties.
He stated, “Why would they remain part of the APC? Is it because they enjoy the humiliation and the exclusion they have suffered? Or is it because they’ve watched the government demonise the legacy of Buhari while he was alive?
“President Tinubu’s government has blamed Buhari for almost every economic woe. So, why would Buhari followers or loyalists remain with the APC?”
Meanwhile, key figures from the defunct CPC who remain within the APC include former Governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, Babale Ila, Ibrahim Gobir, Senator Ibrahim Musa, Sanusi Aliyu, Mohammed Tukur, Senator Ahmed Sani, Ibrahim Chachangi, Yusuf Bala, and the party’s current North West National Vice Chairman, Garuba Datti.
Others still in the party are Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, M.B. Shehu, Chairman of the NDLEA, retired General Buba Marwa, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari, Adamu Farouk, Okoi Obono-Obla, former DG of the Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu, Senator Ibrahim Musa, Nasiru Argungu, former Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, Adamu Adamu, Senator Mustafa Salihu, Almajiri Geidam, Waziri Bulama, Dr. Nasiru Argungu, Dr. Dominic Alancha; Ayuba Balami, Lucy Ajayi, Captain Bala Jibrin, Uche Ufearoh, Yusuf Salih, and Alkali Ajikolo, among others.
However, multiple sources also confirmed to the aforementioned publication that while some aggrieved members, particularly those who feel sidelined since Buhari’s exit from power, may eventually defect from the party, other key figures in the CPC bloc are actively working for the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.