The recent passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari has sparked renewed speculation over the future of his loyalists, particularly members of the now-defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the party Buhari founded in 2009. Since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in 2023, the influence of Buhari’s supporters within the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reportedly diminished, with prominent figures such as former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai and ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal openly expressing opposition to Tinubu’s potential second-term bid.
Political analysts suggest that Buhari’s death could reshape the landscape of Nigerian politics, with the APC facing renewed pressure from the former president’s loyal base, long estimated at over 12 million supporters. Tensions have already begun to surface between the APC and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), both of which are vying to court Buhari’s followers.
Former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, remarked on the potential impact of Buhari’s demise, noting:
"With the passing of Buhari, politics in Nigeria will certainly change — I hope for the better."
ADC Claims to Attract Buhari Loyalists
Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC’s interim National Publicity Secretary, claimed in an interview that many of Buhari’s close allies have already aligned with their coalition. He stated:
"Most of the Buhari loyalists are already with us. The majority of the North is now part of our party. His passing will only strengthen this alignment, as it reflects what he wished during his lifetime — that his members should join the coalition."
Abdullahi highlighted the presence of several prominent CPC figures within the coalition, including Babachir Lawal, Abubakar Malami, Isah Pantami, Emeka Nwajuba, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, noting that their leadership roles indicate Buhari’s political vision.
He also criticized the Tinubu administration, accusing it of sidelining Buhari loyalists and unfairly attributing Nigeria’s economic challenges to the former president.
"Why would they remain part of the APC? Is it because they enjoy humiliation and exclusion?" he questioned.
CPC Loyalists Still in APC
Despite defections, several CPC-affiliated leaders remain active in the APC, including former Nasarawa State Governor Senator Tanko Al-Makura, Senator Ibrahim Musa, Mohammed Tukur, and current North West National Vice Chairman Garuba Datti. Others include Katsina Governor Dikko Radda, M.B. Shehu, retired General Buba Marwa, former House Speaker Aminu Bello Masari, and several senators and political appointees across the North.
Party sources indicate that while many of these figures continue to work within the APC ahead of the 2027 elections, some disgruntled members may eventually defect, particularly those who felt marginalized after Buhari’s exit from power.
End of an Era in Nigerian Politics
Former APC National Vice Chairman (North-West) Salihu Lukman described Buhari’s death as the conclusion of an era in which the former president’s endorsement was almost a guarantee of electoral victory. Speaking on Arise TV, he emphasized the need for new political strategies:
"We no longer have someone with the intimidating profile of Buhari. Leaders must foster teamwork and reconnect with citizens, prioritizing humility over arrogance."
Lukman urged politicians to focus on delivering tangible results for Nigerians rather than relying on the symbolic weight of Buhari’s legacy, signaling a potential shift in Nigeria’s political dynamics.
