Buhari’s Loyalists Shifting Ground? ADC Claims Northern Support Is Growing
The interim spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has said that several allies of the late Muhammadu Buhari—especially those once part of the now-dissolved Congress for Progressive Change (CPC)—are aligning with their party.
Following Buhari’s death, political conversations have intensified around President Tinubu’s future and how the All Progressives Congress (APC) will hold up heading into 2027. With CPC’s influence having taken a back seat since Tinubu assumed power in 2023, some former heavyweights like Nasir El-Rufai and Babachir Lawal have distanced themselves from a potential Tinubu re-election campaign.
Analysts suggest that the late Buhari’s massive grassroots backing—reportedly over 12 million strong—could become a wild card in the next election cycle, particularly if it shifts away from the ruling party.
In a recent chat with Punch, Abdullahi expressed confidence that Buhari’s political base is already leaning towards the ADC.
“Many of those who stood with Buhari are now with us. A good number of them from the North have joined our coalition. It’s something Buhari himself supported while alive,” Abdullahi said.
He also pointed out that several key figures in the current ADC coalition were part of Buhari’s political family, listing names like Babachir Lawal, Isa Pantami, Nasir El-Rufai, Rauf Aregbesola, and others as clear signals of where Buhari’s influence is now being felt.
Abdullahi was blunt in his criticism of Tinubu’s administration, claiming that it has made Buhari a scapegoat for Nigeria’s economic struggles. He questioned why Buhari’s supporters would remain in a party that, according to him, has consistently discredited their leader’s legacy.
“Why should they stay in the APC just to be sidelined? This government has blamed Buhari for nearly every economic issue,” he said.
Despite the defection claims, several prominent CPC veterans still remain in the APC. These include Senator Tanko Al-Makura, Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina, General Buba Marwa (retd.), Aminu Masari, and a host of others across various political and administrative roles.
Nonetheless, internal tensions seem far from settled. Some insiders admit that while a number of Buhari loyalists may eventually walk away from the APC, others are still deeply entrenched in the party’s 2027 game plan.
