By John Audu.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly rebuffed appeals from All Progressives Congress (APC) governors to intervene and prevent members, particularly from the influential Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc, from defecting from the party. The revelation follows a meeting between Buhari and the governors in Kaduna on Monday, which was initially presented as a courtesy call but has since ignited speculation about its true purpose.
According to Daily Trust, the governors sought Buhari’s intervention amid growing concerns about potential defections ahead of the 2027 general elections. The CPC bloc, a crucial component of the APC, remains highly influential, with Buhari considered its central figure. The governors reportedly fear that the departure of this bloc could have dire consequences for the APC on a national scale.
Reports indicate that several former ministers from Buhari’s cabinet are also finalizing plans to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), further fueling anxieties within the APC. A source revealed that the governors are particularly worried that Buhari’s enduring, cult-like following in the North could become a significant liability for the APC if he aligns with his CPC associates. They fear that his bloc vote could prove catastrophic for the party in the 2027 elections.
The governors reportedly implored Buhari to dissuade his CPC allies from leaving the APC. However, the former president reportedly declined to make any such commitment. While reaffirming his loyalty to the APC, he maintained that individuals must be allowed to make their own political decisions, a principle he claims to have consistently upheld throughout his political career. This stance has left the APC governors facing the potential of a significant fracturing of their party.
