Ex-CPC Chairmen Disown Atiku, Reaffirm Loyalty to APC

The Forum of State Chairmen of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) yesterday dissociated itself from the recent visit of some of its members to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Abuja, describing the move as a personal choice that does not represent the position of the bloc.

The Forum, in a strongly worded statement, urged the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership to address what it termed the continued marginalisation of the CPC bloc within the ruling party.

Atiku, who is said to be wooing political allies ahead of the 2027 presidential election, had hosted some ex-CPC members at his residence earlier in the week. He later announced on his social media platforms that he advised them to mobilise their supporters for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

But the Forum clarified that the former Vice President was given a false sense of widespread support.

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), disclosed that only 16 of its 37 members have aligned with Atiku. Twenty, it said, remain firmly in the APC while one member from Borno has passed on.

The Forum alleged that opposition figures have been mounting pressure on its members with financial inducements to defect ahead of 2027, noting that nine succumbed earlier in the year while seven others followed last week.

It said:

“We wish to categorically state that 20 members of the group remain committed to the APC. Our Forum has been under intense pressure, including financial gratification by opposition leaders, which explains why some members caved in. However, majority of us remain unwavering.”

The ex-CPC leaders reminded the Presidency of their critical role in mobilising grassroots structures that gave the party national relevance, pointing to the 12.5 million votes delivered by President Muhammadu Buhari during his political battles.

They reaffirmed loyalty to Senator Tanko Al-Makura, former Katsina Governor Aminu Masari, and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas as leaders of the CPC bloc within the APC.

“We remain loyal, patient but firm in demanding better patronage,” the statement added, while praying for divine guidance for President Bola Tinubu.