Tensions are rising within the All Progressives Congress (APC) following a recent closed-door meeting between former President Muhammadu Buhari and some APC governors, as reports suggest the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc is considering leaving the party.
The meeting, which took place on Monday in Kaduna, was initially seen as a routine visit. However, insiders say it was prompted by mounting concerns over possible defections from the party, particularly by influential members linked to the defunct CPC—one of the founding blocs of the APC.
According to Daily Trust, the governors reportedly appealed to Buhari to step in and help stabilize the party by discouraging his close CPC allies from leaving. Their fears are rooted in the looming 2027 general elections, where the exit of the CPC bloc could significantly weaken the APC’s electoral prospects, especially in Northern Nigeria.
The CPC faction, despite being defunct, still wields considerable influence within the APC, largely due to Buhari’s towering status as its former leader. His political capital, particularly in the North, remains potent and could shift the balance of power if he chooses to support an alternative party.
Sources disclosed that several key figures associated with Buhari’s administration—including former ministers—are already in advanced talks to defect to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). This move, if finalized, could further fragment the APC and create new political alignments ahead of 2027.
“The governors are worried. Buhari’s enduring cult-like following in the North could turn into a major political threat for APC if he passively allows his loyalists to jump ship,” a party source revealed. “His bloc vote could make or break the party in a tight election.”
In response to the appeal, Buhari reportedly reaffirmed his commitment to the APC but made it clear he would not coerce others into staying. He emphasized his long-standing belief in political freedom, stating that individuals must be allowed to decide their paths.
“I remain loyal to the APC, but I will not impose decisions on others. Everyone has the right to make their own political choices,” Buhari was quoted as saying.
This hands-off approach has left the APC governors with little reassurance as the party faces internal fractures and growing uncertainty. With the CPC bloc’s possible exit and increasing dissatisfaction among former Buhari loyalists, the APC may be heading into a turbulent political season.
As the 2027 elections draw nearer, political observers are watching closely to see whether Buhari’s quiet stance will remain, or whether the pull of his influence will yet again reshape Nigeria’s political landscape.
