ABUJA – New information has surfaced following a visit by All Progressives Congress (APC) governors to former President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Kaduna on Monday. Led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, the delegation held a closed-door meeting where they praised Buhari for his accomplishments while in office, emphasizing the strong foundation his administration laid for future development in Nigeria.
Although the visit was officially labeled a Sallah homage, sources indicate that its main purpose was to ask Buhari to intervene and prevent his loyalists from defecting to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). As the 2027 general elections approach, concerns are rising about potential defections, particularly from the influential Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc within the APC, with Buhari at its center.
The meeting comes amid a growing trend of defections by Buhari’s allies, including former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who was the first to publicly announce his departure from the APC, stating he had Buhari’s blessing to do so.
Former ministers from Buhari’s cabinet are reportedly planning to defect en masse to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), following similar moves by some APC members in his home state of Katsina.
APC governors recently visited Buhari, urging him to convince key figures like former Attorney General Abubakar Malami and ex-Minister of State for Education Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba to remain with the party. However, during the private discussions, Buhari appeared to distance himself from the matter, suggesting that individuals should make their own political choices — a stance he has maintained throughout his career. This reluctance has raised concerns about potential defections and their impact on the future of the APC, especially with the upcoming 2027 elections approaching. The APC is currently facing internal strife, particularly over its presidential candidate selection process, which could be exacerbated by the defection of influential figures like Malami and Nwajiuba.
The situation underscores the APC’s precarious position as it grapples with these challenges, while Buhari’s hands-off approach raises questions about the party’s ability to retain its key members.