As the 2027 general elections draw near, Nigeria’s political climate is heating up, with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) racing to retain the support of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Sources reveal that APC governors and party leaders are working overtime to prevent Buhari from aligning with opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Despite public claims that their recent visit to Buhari’s Kaduna residence was for Sallah homage, insiders told NIGPOST that the APC’s top brass were concerned by Buhari’s noticeable silence and perceived distance from President Tinubu’s administration.
The party fears that the former president’s ‘body language’ suggests he may no longer be fully aligned with the APC.
A senior source at the APC headquarters disclosed that Buhari’s recent openness to visitors from other political parties is creating the impression that he might be turning his back on the APC. “They visited him to ensure that both his supporters and the public still see him as part of the APC,” the source added.
The worry runs deep within the APC, especially as prominent northern political figures — including Buhari loyalists — continue to express dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s administration. According to the source, “The North feels neglected, and the opposition is using this to attract Buhari’s camp.”
The situation escalated after former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, defected from the APC to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on March 15, claiming that the party no longer aligns with his personal values. El-Rufai confirmed that he informed Buhari before making his move.
Following this, a flurry of political visits began. First, APC governors met with Buhari on April 7, reportedly pleading with him to help stop more defections. However, just days later, Atiku Abubakar and other opposition leaders, including the governors of Kaduna and Sokoto, visited Buhari as well.
Although both sides insisted the visits were purely for Sallah greetings, analysts believe the real agenda is coalition-building ahead of the 2027 elections. In fact, Atiku had already announced the formation of a coalition of opposition parties aimed at unseating Tinubu.
APC Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje downplayed the visits, claiming that Atiku’s coalition plan was unrealistic. But behind the scenes, the APC is clearly uneasy. Buhari’s influence in the North remains a major political asset, and both camps are eager to win him over.
Mohammed Lawal, a longtime associate of Buhari, revealed that while the former president has no intention of leaving the APC, he won’t stop his supporters from defecting if they choose to. “There’s a limit to what Buhari can do. If 90% of his people move to another party, he may have to rethink his stance,” Lawal said.
Lawal also criticized Tinubu’s administration for what he described as lopsided appointments and worsening economic conditions, sentiments shared by many in the North. He emphasized that Buhari remains one of the most influential political figures in the region, making him a key player in any strategic plan for 2027.
As both the ruling party and opposition leaders make calculated moves, Buhari’s Kaduna residence has become a hotbed of political activity. With the 2027 elections shaping up to be one of the most contested in Nigeria’s history, all eyes remain on the former president and where his loyalty — and that of his followers — will ultimately lie.
What do you think about the power struggle brewing ahead of the 2027 elections? Will Buhari’s loyalists reshape Nigeria’s political future? Share your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned to NIGPOST for the latest updates!
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