The Forum of State Chairmen of the now-defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) has reiterated its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, firmly distancing itself from rumors of an emerging political coalition aimed at challenging the president in 2027.
In a statement issued Sunday by the forum’s National Secretary, Sulaiman Oyaremi, the group emphasized that its members view supporting President Tinubu as a responsibility.
It also acknowledged the right of individuals to remain in or exit the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), noting such decisions are part of democratic expression.
“We believe that we owe ourselves a duty to support the current leader of the party, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and contribute to the transformation of APC into an inclusive institution where all stakeholders would have a sense of belonging and ownership,” the forum stated.
Amid speculations that some elements within the CPC bloc might join a possible alliance with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, the forum reiterated its loyalty to the APC.
On April 16, a faction led by former Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-Makura, rejected such claims and expressed full support for President Tinubu.
However, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), voiced disapproval the following day, contending that Al-Makura’s group lacks the authority to represent the entire CPC bloc.
Addressing this controversy, the forum expressed disappointment over the division within the legacy party.
Oyaremi stated, “Unfortunately, with several camps speaking for the defunct CPC, the situation has exposed a lack of coherent leadership within the bloc.”
“We are further concerned that this development signposts a lack of inclusiveness in the leadership of APC and the government it birthed.”
He continued, “It is a self-evident reality that members of the defunct CPC, especially former State Chairmen of the legacy party, have not been treated fairly either through government appointments or party apparatus both at the national and state levels, their contributions to the electoral successes of the party notwithstanding.”
Despite these grievances, the forum underscored its continued support for the party.
“Against the conflicting statements concerning the position of the CPC bloc within the APC, we believe that those who chose to either leave or remain in APC have merely exercised their democratic rights.”
“On our part, as members of the Forum for State Chairmen of the defunct CPC, while we do not begrudge those who have decided to quit APC, we wish to state without any ambiguity that, except for a few of us, we are unanimous in our decision to remain in the party with our principal, former President Muhammadu Buhari.”
The forum concluded by urging President Tinubu and other APC leaders to focus on pressing national issues.
“We also want to use this medium to call the attention of the President to the multifarious challenges that Nigerians face. The high level of insecurity and economic hardship are becoming existential threats to many citizens,” the statement noted.
“It is, therefore, important that the President, APC governments at all levels and the leadership of the party give these challenges the desired attention.”
“These issues of governance, rather than the 2027 elections, should constitute our priority as we move closer to the second anniversary of the current government.”
