The All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governors are working to prevent former President Muhammadu Buhari and his loyalists from aligning with opposition forces ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A source at the APC National Secretariat disclosed that recent visits by the APC National Working Committee (NWC) and party governors to Buhari in Kaduna were strategic efforts to secure his loyalty amid concerns that the ex-president’s “body language” no longer supports the ruling party.
According to the source, party leaders are uneasy about Buhari’s apparent detachment from President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which has allowed opposition figures to give the impression that Buhari may be shifting allegiances. The NWC’s visit, the source explained, aimed to reinforce Buhari’s link to the APC, especially among his strong northern base, and dissuade him from further engagements with opposition leaders.
“The APC leadership recognises the North’s discontent with Tinubu’s government and fears that Buhari’s open-door approach to opposition figures could tilt support away from the party,” the source stated.
Amid these developments, Buhari’s Kaduna home has become a political hotspot, especially since Eid-el-Fitr. This follows reports of planned defections by the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc—an APC faction with deep loyalty to Buhari—to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Notably, one of Buhari’s closest allies, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, defected to the SDP on March 15, citing irreconcilable differences with the APC. El-Rufai, who has been critical of Tinubu’s government, revealed he consulted Buhari before leaving the party.
Other key figures believed to be leading the exodus include former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu and ex-Attorney General Abubakar Malami.
To quell the growing crisis, APC governors met with Buhari on April 7 in a closed-door session where they reportedly urged him to stop his loyalists from defecting, promising to address their grievances.
Despite this, on April 11, opposition leaders—led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and including El-Rufai and ex-Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal—visited Buhari, citing a Sallah homage. Atiku, while admitting that opposition coalition talks were ongoing, clarified that this visit was not political.
El-Rufai also insisted the meeting had no political undertones, urging critics not to overreact.
However, just hours later, APC NWC members led by Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje paid their own visit to Buhari. Ganduje downplayed Atiku’s visit, calling it an attempt to recreate history with an unviable coalition, and reaffirmed the APC’s dedication to preserving Buhari’s legacy.
While both parties describe their visits as festive greetings, political observers believe both the APC and opposition camps are actively courting Buhari’s influence ahead of 2027.
Buhari, whose popularity remains strong in the North, has affirmed his loyalty to the APC and appreciation for the platform that made him president for two terms. Yet, his perceived detachment from Tinubu’s government has fueled speculation about his support in the next election cycle.
Sources close to Atiku confirmed that these visits are rooted in strategic planning for 2027, aimed at building a powerful coalition rather than a formal merger. One insider said the plan is to attract Buhari’s loyalists from the CPC bloc, especially as many feel sidelined by Tinubu’s administration.
Atiku officially announced the formation of a Coalition of Opposition Political Parties on March 20, aiming to unseat Tinubu in 2027. Growing northern dissatisfaction with the Tinubu-led government is believed to be fueling this momentum.
An APC insider in Kaduna said, “Many northerners are unhappy with the current government, except those within it. Efforts to replace Tinubu in 2027 are already underway.”
Political associate and 2015 Buhari Campaign Deputy Director, Mohammed Lawal, said Buhari would remain with the APC but could not compel his loyalists to stay.
“Buhari cannot be separated from the APC, but if 80–90% of his people leave, he has to make a choice,” Lawal noted. He also criticized the Tinubu administration’s appointments and worsening economic conditions, saying the government has skewed too heavily in favour of its own interests.
Lawal emphasized Buhari’s continued relevance in northern politics, highlighting that few northern leaders hold the political weight that Buhari commands. “Even outside APC, northern politicians look to Buhari for guidance. Don’t be surprised that his Kaduna home has become a political Mecca.”
He added that Buhari would ultimately make the right decision, regardless of mounting political pressure.
