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Tension As APC Struggles to Retain Cult-like CPC Loyalists of Late Buhari
With Buhari’s passing, analysts believe the All Progressives Congress may face renewed challenges from the late leader’s formidable cult-like followership, long estimated at over 12 million.
The death of former President Muhammadu Buhari has reignited speculations about the political future of his loyalists, particularly those from the now-defunct Congress for Progressive Change, the party he founded in 2009.
Since the emergence of President Bola Tinubu in 2023, the influence of CPC loyalists has waned, with some key figures such as ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, openly opposing Tinubu’s potential second-term bid.
Tensions have begun to surface between the APC and the African Democratic Congress, with both parties vying to attract Buhari’s political base. The development follows remarks by former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who suggested that the former President’s death could reshape Nigeria’s political dynamics.
“That shows the magnitude of what has befallen Nigeria,” Abdulsalami said of the impact of Buhari’s death. “With the passing away of Buhari, politics in Nigeria will certainly change — I hope for the better.”
Meanwhile, ADC’s interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, claimed in an interview with The PUNCH that several of Buhari’s close allies had already joined their coalition.
“Most of the Buhari loyalists are already with us,” Abdullahi said. “The majority of them, the entire North are already with our party. We are very confident. The passing of the former President will only cement that for us because that was his wish when he was alive — that his members should join the coalition.”
He added, “As you can see, there is a strong representation of CPC and Buhari loyalists in the senior ranks of the coalition — the likes of Babachir Lawal, Abubakar Malami, Isah Pantami, Emeka Nwajuba, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Rauf Aregbesola and the rest of them. Those are Buhari people. And their presence in the leadership of the coalition indicates that that’s where Buhari stood.”
Abdullahi added that Buhari’s legacy would be preserved by the coalition, arguing that the APC had alienated and vilified the late president during his lifetime.
“Why would they remain part of the APC?” he asked. “Is it because they enjoy the humiliation and the exclusion they have suffered? Or is it because they’ve watched the government demonise the legacy of Buhari while he was alive?”
He also accused the Tinubu-led administration of scapegoating Buhari for Nigeria’s economic difficulties. “President Tinubu’s government has blamed Buhari for almost every economic woe. So, why would Buhari followers or loyalists remain with the APC?”
Key figures from the defunct CPC who remain within the APC include former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Tanko Al-Makura; Babale Ila, Ibrahim Gobir; Senator Ibrahim Musa; Sanusi Aliyu; Mohammed Tukur; Senator Ahmed Sani; Ibrahim Chachangi; Yusuf Bala; and the party’s current North West National Vice Chairman, Garuba Datti.
Others still in the party are Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda; Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, M.B. Shehu; Chairman of the NDLEA, retired General Buba Marwa; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari; Adamu Farouk; Okoi Obono-Obla; former DG of the Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu; Senator Ibrahim Musa; and Nasiru Argungu.
Also remaining are former Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari; Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule; Adamu Adamu; Senator Mustafa Salihu; Almajiri Geidam; Waziri Bulama; Dr. Nasiru Argungu; Dr. Dominic Alancha; Ayuba Balami; Lucy Ajayi; Captain Bala Jibrin; Uche Ufearoh; Yusuf Salih; and Alkali Ajikolo, among others.
