The All Progressives Congress (APC) and governors elected under its platform are making urgent efforts to secure the loyalty of former President Muhammadu Buhari amid concerns over his increasing interactions with opposition figures.
An insider at the APC National Secretariat disclosed that recent visits to Buhari’s residence in Kaduna State by members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and APC governors were strategically motivated, despite being publicly framed as Sallah homage.
According to the source, the visits were prompted by growing unease within the APC over the former president’s perceived detachment from the party and his openness to opposition leaders.
“The leaders are concerned that the ex-president has withdrawn and shown limited support for the current administration. 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,” the source revealed.
The insider added that the visits aimed to reinforce Buhari’s continued association with the APC, particularly to dispel fears among his loyalists in the North who may be disillusioned with the Tinubu-led administration.
“Importantly, the party acknowledges that the North is uncomfortable with President Bola Tinubu’s administration and is clearly planning not to support his second term. The APC leadership decided to dissuade the former president from making himself available to opposition figures who have been visiting him,” the source noted.
The party’s leadership is reportedly taking Buhari’s current posture seriously, recognizing the potential risk of losing his significant northern support base to opposition camps.
Opposition Woos Buhari as Coalition Talks Intensify
Buhari’s residence in Kaduna has seen a flurry of political visits since the recent Eid-el-Fitr celebrations. Reports suggest that key figures from the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc within the APC and several former ministers who served under Buhari are mulling a defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
This wave of political realignment gained momentum when former Kaduna State Governor and Buhari loyalist, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, officially joined the SDP on March 15. He cited a growing ideological disconnect with the APC as the reason for his departure and confirmed that he had consulted Buhari before making the move.
Former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, and former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, are also said to be leading figures in the defection movement.
In response, APC governors met with Buhari on April 7 in a closed-door meeting, reportedly pleading with him to halt the defection of his loyalists and assuring him that their grievances would be addressed.
However, just three days later, on April 11, opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Governors of Kaduna and Sokoto States—Nasir El-Rufai and Aminu Tambuwal—paid a visit to Buhari.
Atiku, speaking to journalists after the meeting, claimed the visit was purely a Sallah homage. While he acknowledged ongoing discussions about forming a united opposition front, he clarified that it was not the purpose of the visit.
“There is a plan for the major political parties to come together and form a strong opposition, but it is not part of this visit,” Atiku stated.
El-Rufai echoed similar sentiments, dismissing political interpretations of the visit and urging “adversaries” not to lose sleep over it.
APC Swiftly Responds
In a swift counter-move, the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, led members of the NWC to Buhari’s residence hours after the opposition leaders’ visit. Speaking to the press, Ganduje dismissed the opposition’s visit as inconsequential and lacking political viability.
“What they are trying to build is not viable. Some particles simply cannot come together. We are not worried at all,” he said.
Ganduje stated that the APC visit was to brief Buhari on developments within the party and to reaffirm their commitment to sustaining his legacy.
Despite official claims that all visits were for Sallah greetings, there is strong indication that both the ruling party and the opposition are competing to win over the former president’s support.
Buhari’s influence in the North remains a critical asset, particularly as discontent with Tinubu’s administration grows in the region.
While reaffirming his loyalty to the APC, Buhari emphasized his appreciation for the party that enabled him to serve two terms as president.
