All Progressive Congress (APC) and its governors are actively working to prevent former President Muhammadu Buhari and his loyalists from aligning with the opposition.
Sources in the APC who spoke with Punch indicated that the recent visit to Buhari’s residence at Kaduna was motivated by increasing attention to his position on the party’s direction.
Naija News The report said an insider of the APC National Secretariat revealed that the visit of the APC National Working Council (NWC) and the party’s governor was not only a ceremony, but as originally claimed.
Despite formally making it a visit to Sallah, the real purpose of the trip was to address the rising concerns of Buhari’s “body language” which suggests a potential shift from political parties to opposition factions.
Sources said “The leaders are concerned that the ex-president has withdrawn and shown limited support for the current government. They observed that opposition figures have taken advantage of Buhari’s openness to create the impression that his spirit and body language are no longer with the APC. That is why the NWC had to visit him to show that he still belongs to the APC and ward off any negative impression among party members, especially from his followers in the North.
“It is important that the party acknowledges that the North is uncomfortable with President Bora Tinub’s administration and apparently plans not to support his second term. The APC leader decided to dissuade the former president from bringing himself to the opposition figures who visited him.”
Insiders told Punch that the APC leadership was “more serious about Buhari’s body language” and noted that they could not afford to have the opposition “hijack him” from them.
He said “The leaders of the party have realized there is fire on the hill and they have begun to get closer to Buhari. The body language of the former president clearly shows that his spirit is no longer with the APC. They are now taking his actions and violations more seriously. Leaders are working to ensure that the APC does not lose Buhari and its followers in order to make it strategically.
Buhari’s residence becomes the center of political activity for SDP defection
Since the Eid celebrations, former President Muhammadu Buhari’s residence in Kaduna has become a focus of political discussions and meetings, especially after reports that the key figures of the Bloc’s progressive change (CPC) Bloc are key figures within the APC, while the former minister under his administration plans to harm the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Mallam’s Destiny Nasir El-Rufaithe former governor of Kaduna State landed on SDP on March 15, 2025, which demonstrates the growing dissatisfaction among the Buhari loyalists ranks.
El-Rufai believes there is a misalignment between his personal values and the current direction of APC, which is why he left. El-Rufai, a voice critic of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, revealed that he sought Buhari’s approval before taking action.
Other notable Buhari loyalists, including former APC President Abdullahi Adamu and former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, are also reporting to be considering defection, which has heightened speculation about loyalty within the party.
In response to the growing defection, the APC Governor visited Buhari on April 7, 2025 to attend a closed-door meeting. Sources said the governor begged Buhari to intervene and stop further defections and assured him that the party would address the concerns of its loyalists.
However, just a few days later, on April 11, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Governor Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto) visited Buhari at his residence.
A conversation with reporters after the visit was clarified that the meeting was a polite visit to Sarah’s greetings, denying any connections to the talks with the opposition coalition.
“We are here politely and Sarah greets President Mohamed Buhari.” Atticu said. Asked about the possibility of forming a major opposition party, Atiku confirmed that discussions were underway, but stressed that the visit had nothing to do with coalition building efforts.
“There is a plan where the main parties come together and form strong opposition, but that’s not part of this visit.” He said.
El-Rufai also downplayed any political hues of this visit, suggesting that “adversaries” do not lose sleep for it. Despite these assurances, the visit sparked political speculation, and many wondered about its long-term impact on Buhari’s consistency.
APC NWC responds to visits from opposition leaders
In a quick response, the APC National Working Committee (NWC), led by Party Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, arrived at Buhari’s residence a few hours after the opposition leaders left. Ganduje dismissed concerns about opposition leaders’ visits, calling it an attempt to “repeat history.”
He said “What they are trying to build is not feasible. Some particles simply cannot fuse together. We are not worried at all.”
Ganduje explained that the APC delegation aimed to introduce Buhari to the progress since the party had been made, since he stepped down from office and reiterated their commitment to safeguarding his legacy.
“We introduced him to our progress and reaffirmed our commitment to his legacy.” Added Corjects.
Although all the politicians participating in the visit downplayed the political significance, the gathering highlighted the ongoing efforts of the ruling APC and opposition leaders to gain Buhari’s support.
His influence in the North remains a powerful asset, something many believe is crucial to the success of any party in future elections.
Despite growing political tensions, Buhari insists that he remains loyal to the APC and says he will always be grateful to the party for providing him with a platform for two-term president.
“I stay in the APC and I will always be grateful to the party for giving me the opportunity to serve as president for two terms.” Bukari is a submitted.
Visits in circa 2027
Sources close to former President Atiku told Sunday Boxing that the visit is related to the 2027 election.
“It’s all about the 2027 election, especially the president. This visit is aimed at the Alliance Building rather than the merger,” One of the sources said.
Another source added “This visit is a loyalist poaching Buhari from the APC group. It’s the power to be associated with it, because Tinubu has given up on them and they know Buhari can’t help anyone in the 2027 election. The only option is Atiku poaching the loyalist of the former president, a former president from CPC Bloc.”
Atiku announced on March 20 that an opposition party coalition would be removed from Tinubu in 2027, due to growing dissatisfaction with the president in the north.
“Many northerners are not satisfied with the current government, except for the government’s government. A political leader in Kaduna state said.
Punch gathers that Atiku and other northerners are stepping up their efforts to get Buhari’s support in his former CPC through his former CPC (now part of the APC).
Why APC, anti-Tinubu politicians want Buhari’s support – Partners
But Mohammed Lawal, a long-time political partner at Buhari, said the former president could not stop his loyalists from leaving the APC.
Lawal, who served as deputy director of the Buhari presidential campaign committee in 2015, noted that although Buhari announced that his position would not leave the APC, he would respect the decisions of his loyalists.
He said “The Party (APC) gave him the opportunity to serve as president for two terms, so it was not easy to separate him from the Party; but he could force his loyalists to work for the restrictions of APC.
“For example, if President Buhari decides to support the coalition, I’m sure you’ll see what should he do in 90% of the people in the coalition? Is it to fight 90%?
“But there is a limit to what he can do, and if 80% of his people decide to leave, he has to decide.”
However, Lawal asked about President Tinob’s appointments and the country’s economic hardship.
He said “It has never been done like this; every one is used for the administration of people who tend toward themselves or are race, religion, but in reality, it’s too much based on what you hear and what you see within the country.”
Colleagues say about Buhari’s relevance “Buhari is still a major interest within the political circles of the north; how many former heads of state have we experienced the politics of Rigmarole and became the president of the north? I think there is anyone behind Buhari right now. Babangida has his military background. Babangida is his military background, so it’s so natural that Abudulsallam is in the politics of the north, and that’s the politician of the north. I’m not surprised if you see Buhari’s residence in Kaduna turning into some kind of political Mecca.
Lawal also noted that opposition figures sought Buhari’s support as they recognized his electoral value.
He said the former president would make the right decision no matter what anyone said to him.
