The Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have dismissed ongoing political maneuvers by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as mere theatrics, denying any threat to President Bola Tinubu’s position in 2027.
This comes amid rising speculation over a potential opposition coalition, following a recent high-profile visit led by Atiku and El-Rufai to former President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Kaduna.
The delegation also included former governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Jibrilla Bindow (Adamawa), and Achike Udenwa (Imo).
While Atiku described the visit as a post-Eid courtesy call, APC insiders see it as part of a broader plan to rally opposition forces ahead of the next presidential election.
“There’s talk about building a unified opposition, but that wasn’t our agenda,” Atiku insisted.
Amid reports of internal discontent within the APC and rumors of defections, especially from the CPC (Congress for Progressive Change) bloc to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, dismissed the claims as baseless.
“What CPC bloc are they talking about? Neither El-Rufai nor Atiku were part of the CPC. Have actual CPC stalwarts like Garba Datti Mohammed or Tanko Al-Makura said they’re defecting?” Bashiru asked, describing the rumors as political distractions.
Presidential aide on policy communication, Daniel Bwala, also weighed in, describing the alleged coalition as an opportunistic arrangement lacking any clear ideology or direction.
“There’s no unifying principle behind this alliance. It’s simply a scramble for power,” Bwala stated. “Even Peter Obi has admitted that the main goal is to seize control, not build a viable alternative.”
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Bwala further revealed that El-Rufai’s effort to lure members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the SDP had been firmly resisted. He recounted how former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido reportedly rejected the move, reminding colleagues that El-Rufai once benefited from the PDP’s platform.
“El-Rufai was twice appointed as a minister under PDP. Now he’s trying to dismantle the same party by pulling people out? It won’t work,” Bwala added.
