A key group within Nigeria’s ruling party has publicly reiterated its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, while denying it has endorsed his main rival, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
The Forum of State Chairmen of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) distanced itself from a recent visit by some of its members to Atiku’s home in Abuja. They described the visit as a “personal decision of a few individuals” that did not represent the group’s official position.
In a statement released on Saturday, the forum claimed its members had been under “intense pressure, which includes financial gratification by opposition leaders” to abandon the All Progressives Congress (APC). They revealed that while 16 of their 37 members had succumbed to this pressure and pledged support to Atiku, 20 others remained “unwavering” in their commitment to President Tinubu. One member has passed away.
The statement was signed by Kasim Mabo (National Chairman), Sulaiman Oyaremi (National Secretary), Olalekan Obolo (South West Coordinator), Enyinnaya Nnachi (South East Coordinator), and Ahmad Dawayo (North East and North West Coordinator).
The forum said the gathering at Atiku’s residence was an attempt to give a “misleading impression of widespread support.” They used the moment to call on the presidency and the APC leadership to “urgently address the continued neglect of the CPC bloc,” whom they said are “feeling increasingly alienated.”
“Without the fear of sounding immodest, we remain the direct link to the grassroots structures that gave the CPC its national relevance,” the statement read, reminding everyone that they were the chairmen who worked with the late President Muhammadu Buhari to achieve the “much touted 12.5 million votes.”
The group reaffirmed its loyalty to the leadership of the defunct CPC bloc, led by Senator Tanko Al-Makura, Aminu Masari, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
“We remain loyal, patient, but firm in our resolve to demand for better patronage just as we pray that the Almighty God shall continue to guide Mr President and indeed all our leaders,” the statement added.
This declaration of support follows a meeting in May where other prominent loyalists of former President Buhari, including Katsina State Governor Dr Dikko Radda and Foreign Affairs Minister Maitama Tuggar, declared their support for President Tinubu amidst rumours of widespread discontent.
The development highlights the ongoing political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general election. Atiku Abubakar, who has left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is reportedly trying to build a coalition of opposition figures to challenge Tinubu. He is widely expected to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
High-profile CPC figures like former governors Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi are already said to be working with Atiku against the president’s re-election bid.
In a related show of support for the president, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, declared that the 2027 election would be a “walkover” for Tinubu. This sentiment was echoed at a separate event by political leaders in Kwara South senatorial district, who encouraged the president to run again, citing federal appointments and recognition for their area.
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