As political alignments begin to shift ahead of the 2027 general elections, former state chairmen of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change have declared their continued allegiance to the All Progressives Congress, citing loyalty to their political leader and former President Muhammadu Buhari as their primary reason for remaining in the ruling party.
The position was made public in a statement issued on Sunday by the forum’s National Secretary, Sulaiman Oyaremi, who affirmed that the majority of the former CPC leaders have resolved to stay with the APC despite concerns over internal exclusion and political sidelining.
“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 Tinubu, and contribute to building an inclusive APC where all stakeholders feel a sense of belonging.”
The forum expressed disappointment over the perceived marginalisation of former CPC members within the APC’s structure, both at the national and state levels. They noted that despite their significant role in the formation of the APC and their contributions to its electoral success, they have received minimal recognition and participation in governance.
“Members of the defunct CPC, especially former state chairmen, have not been treated fairly in government appointments or party structures at both national and state levels,” the statement added.
The forum also addressed speculations that some members of the CPC bloc were planning to join forces with opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. They disassociated themselves from such plans, stressing their resolve to remain within the APC fold.
Their renewed commitment follows a meeting held on April 16, led by former Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al-Makura, where several ex-CPC leaders reiterated their support for President Bola Tinubu and the ruling party.
However, the declaration of loyalty sparked internal friction, with former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), dismissing Al-Makura’s authority to speak on behalf of the CPC bloc. He argued that no single individual holds the mandate to represent the collective voice of the former CPC members.
Acknowledging the emerging factionalism, the forum admitted that the defunct CPC bloc is grappling with a leadership vacuum, which has resulted in multiple, and sometimes conflicting, positions.
“Unfortunately, with several camps speaking for the defunct CPC, the situation has exposed a lack of coherent leadership within the bloc,” the statement noted.
Nevertheless, the forum emphasised that while they remain committed to the APC, they recognise and respect the democratic right of any individual or group to pursue alternative political paths.
“We do not begrudge those who have decided to quit the APC,” they said, reaffirming their loyalty to Buhari and their choice to continue working within the party.
In conclusion, the forum called on President Tinubu and APC-led governments at all levels to redirect their attention from political scheming ahead of the 2027 elections and prioritise the urgent national challenges of insecurity and economic hardship.
“We urge the President and APC governments at all levels to prioritise tackling these existential issues rather than focusing on the next election,” the statement added.
