The defection of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and the reported approval of former President Muhammadu Buhari have triggered a wave of defections among members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly those from the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc.
Buhari, El-Rufai, former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, and Senate President Ahmad Lawan were key figures in the CPC before it merged with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), parts of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and elements of the New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) to form the APC in 2013.
El-Rufai’s move has exposed an ongoing coalition involving aggrieved APC leaders, signaling an emerging political realignment ahead of 2027.
Wave of Defections
Following El-Rufai’s defection, Ahmad Babba Kaita, a former senator and House of Representatives member from Katsina, also joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Kaita was a CPC stalwart.
Similarly, former Kaduna State commissioners—Ibrahim Hussaini (Agriculture), Aisha Dikko (Justice), Amina Baloni (Health), Halima Lawal (Education), and ex-Head of Service, Hajiya Bari’atu Mohammed—have dumped the APC for the SDP.
In Gombe State, Adamu Modibbo, who served as the Campaign Secretary of the APC during the 2015 elections, has left the party and now chairs the SDP in the state.
In Borno State, former APC Publicity Secretary, Abdulaziz Galadima, also confirmed his defection to the SDP, citing a departure from the founding principles of the APC. He stated that many CPC members were preparing to leave the party for the SDP or another platform.
Political Heavyweights Join Coalition
Efforts to reach out to Abubakar Malami yielded no result. However, a close aide confirmed his involvement in the coalition, emphasizing that it was not just about unseating Tinubu in 2027 but about offering Nigerians a better governance alternative.
“We abhor the current commercialization of governance, which is detrimental to Nigerians. This movement is bigger than any single political party, as it involves key figures from PDP, defunct CPC, ACN, and APC,” the source stated.
Prominent figures said to be involved in the coalition include:
- Rotimi Amaechi (ex-Rivers Governor)
- Emeka Ihedioha (ex-Imo Governor)
- Liyel Imoke (ex-Cross River Governor)
- Aminu Tambuwal (ex-Sokoto Governor)
- Rauf Aregbesola (ex-Osun Governor)
- David Mark (ex-Senate President)
- Chief John Odigie-Oyegun (ex-APC national chairman)
- Emeka Nwajiuba (former Minister of State for Education)
- Ali Ndume (Borno South Senator)
Cracks Within APC Deepen
A prominent APC chieftain in Imo State confirmed that the CPC bloc within the APC had already concluded plans to exit the party.
“Many APC foundation members with genuine followership are leaving. President Tinubu has mismanaged the party’s success, and things are getting worse by the day,” he said.
He further warned that if the CPC bloc exits, the APC may struggle to survive, adding that at least 10 former ministers and multiple senators from the 9th National Assembly were preparing to leave.
Tinubu Accused of Political Isolation
A former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Lalong, confirmed that discussions were ongoing between various political figures.
“We are in talks with many people across Nigeria, including former ministers and senators. A large number of politicians from different parties are aligning to form a common front,” he disclosed.
Lalong criticized Tinubu’s leadership style, describing him as an egoistic leader who treats himself as an emperor.
“Unless he changes his governance style, we will soon see what Nigerians are capable of,” he warned.
He also accused Tinubu of marginalizing Buhari, stating that the former president was instrumental in making Tinubu’s presidency possible.
“Buhari conceded the vice presidency to Tinubu and backed his ambition. Today, Tinubu cannot name a single special adviser from Buhari’s camp,” he lamented.
Aregbesola and Others in Talks
Aregbesola’s media aide, Sola Fasure, declined to comment on his defection plans but hinted that his political movement would be revealed at the right time.
However, an insider revealed that Aregbesola had been invited to join the SDP and was part of a larger coalition of former APC ministers and officials.
“The movement is bigger than any one party. Even if we join the SDP or ADC, it will only serve as a structure. Eventually, all these smaller parties will collapse into a larger coalition in 2027,” the source explained.
Aregbesola’s group, Omoluabi Progressives, had earlier left the APC, citing marginalization and exclusion within the party structure.
Buhari’s Position Unclear
When contacted, Buhari’s media aide, Garba Shehu, stated that he would need to speak with the former president before commenting on the reported defection of his allies.
However, Buhari has repeatedly insisted that he remains a loyal APC member and should be addressed as such.