Fresh political tension is brewing as the Forum of State Chairmen of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) has distanced itself from the visit of some of its members to the Abuja residence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The Forum, in a statement issued on Saturday, described the visit as a personal decision of a few individuals, stressing that it does not reflect the position of the group as a whole.
APC Neglect and CPC Frustration
The Forum, while reaffirming loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC), urged both the Presidency and the party leadership to urgently address what it termed the continued marginalisation of the CPC bloc within the APC.
According to the statement signed by Kasim Mabo (National Chairman), Sulaiman Oyaremi (National Secretary), Olalekan Obolo (South West Coordinator), Enyinnaya Nnachi (South East Coordinator) and Ahmad Dawayo (North East/North West Coordinator), out of the 37 state chairmen, only 16 have thrown their weight behind Atiku, while 20 remain committed to Tinubu.
The Forum further alleged that opposition allies have been offering financial incentives in a bid to lure them away from the ruling party.
Atiku’s 2027 Gambit
Atiku, who has since dumped the PDP, is reportedly reaching out to different political blocs to rally support ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Although yet to officially declare for any party, there are strong indications that he may pitch his tent with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Already, heavyweights such as former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and ex-SGF Babachir Lawal are said to be teaming up with Atiku to frustrate President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Earlier in the week, Atiku took to his social media pages to announce the visit of some ex-CPC State Chairmen, noting that he advised them to mobilise their supporters for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).
Forum Hits Back
But the Forum insisted the gathering at Atiku’s residence was only meant to give the impression of widespread CPC support for the former Vice President.
It added:
“We wish to categorically state that 20 members of the group remain committed to the APC… For some time now, our Forum has been under intense pressure, including financial gratification by opposition leaders. Nine of our members succumbed months ago, and seven others joined them last week. But 20 of us remain unwavering.”
The group stressed that they remain the direct grassroots link that once delivered 12.5 million votes under President Muhammadu Buhari, and therefore cannot be ignored.
Reaffirming loyalty, the Forum declared support for CPC leaders Senator Tanko Al-Makura, Aminu Masari, and Tajudeen Abbas, while urging President Tinubu to urgently address their concerns.
The political landscape is heating up, and with Atiku’s moves intensifying, the stage is being set for what could be a high-stakes battle for 2027.
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