CPC bloc not leaving APC – Al-Makura; “You lied! Our CPC group leaving, 100% for Coalition” – Babachir Lawal

By KEMI KASUMU

Believing that the CPC bloc were eyes open and more brilliant enough to know that Tinubu cannot be trusted for anything as he can do anything to get what he wants only to betray them shortly later like he did to Nasir El-Rufai, critics and watchers of events had expressed hope that neither the CPC bloc nor Al-Makura would fall for the Tinubu’s tactics of using APC National Chairmanship as decoy to change their minds from pulling out.

The bloc led by a former Governor of Nasarawa State, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, has pledged their loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Al-Makura and 22 other members of the CPC bloc who signed the statement asked members of the CPC bloc who are aggrieved to seek internal mechanisms of addressing their grievances.

Aside from Al-Makura, the CPC bloc members who signed the statement were former Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari; Mallam Adamu Adamu, Senator Ibrahim Musa, Senator Mustafa Salihu, Hon. Farouk Adamu Aliyu, Hon. Almajiri Geidam, Arc. Waziri Bulama, Dr. Nasiru Ladan Argungu, Dr. Dominic Alancha, Hon. Ayuba Balami, Mr. Osita Okechukwu,and Chief Okoi Obono-Obla.
Others are Hon. Lucy Ajayi, Captain Bala Jibrin, Hon. Uche Ufearoh, Alh. Yusuf Salihu, Hon. Abubakar Maikudi, Engr. Mutallib Badmus, Alh. Muhammed Ahmed Datti, Hon. Muhammed Etsu, Chief Jerry Johnson, and Alh. Alkali Ajikolo.

Recall that the CPC, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) had merged to form the APC in 2013. They were later joined by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), called the New PDP (nPDP) in 2014.

There are indications that some members of the CPC bloc in the APC have concluded plans to dump the party over alleged lack of fairness to them.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Abdullahi Umar Ganduje-led loyalists, who were gripped by fears that CPC bloc pulling out of the party will spell a doom for APC’s victory in 2027, have been going in and out of the Ungwa Sarki GRA Kaduna home of former President Muhammadu Buhari begging him to intervene against the preparedness of CPC bloc in the ruling not to leave.

The DEFENDER gathered that the former leader had told the visiting APC governors that while he remains in APC, he could not in all honesty stop any of his loyalists from pursuing or making their individual political choices. He also warned them against prioritizing personal good over the people’s welfare.

When the party’s governors forum led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma did not get the answer they wanted at the first meeting, the National Working Committee (NWC) led by the National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje took to the same Kaduna home, especially on a Friday evening after Coalition delegation led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and accompanied by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai had visited earlier.

After the Ganduje-led delegation visit, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has been reported to now govern fully from France, according to Sahara Reporters, made a move to in his own capacity as an acclaimed master strategist to stop the pull out of the CPC by wooing Umar Tanko Al-Makura with the position of APC National Chairman.

Believing that the CPC bloc were eyes open and more brilliant enough to know that Tinubu cannot be trusted for anything as he can do anything to get what he wants only to betray them shortly later like he did to Nasir El-Rufai, critics and watchers of events had expressed hope that neither the CPC bloc nor Al-Makura would fall for the Tinubu’s tactics of using APC National Chairmanship as decoy to change their minds from pulling out.

But the Al-Makura-led group said they are not pull out, a statement that many said was now clear Tinubu’s attempt divide the CPC bloc in affront to former President Muhammadu Buhari and proving the message being passed round by his government members and supporters that with or without Buhari, he would win a re-election in 2027 despite lack of evident performance along the line of good governance.

The Al-Makura group said, “We categorically state that we have neither left the APC nor do we intend to leave. The CPC bloc remains one of the APC’s foundational pillars, and we are resolute in our commitment to the party and its progressive ideals.

“As a legacy party within the APC, we take pride in the sacrifices made to build a platform that fosters national unity, justice, and development. We will not allow individuals to dismantle the party we helped build through years of tireless dedication.

“Attempts to sow disunity within the party and the country do not reflect the will or position of genuine CPC core members and are wholly unacceptable. We acknowledge that some members may feel sidelined, but such concerns are not unique to any one bloc. We encourage those affected to seek redress through established constitutional channels within the party, rather than resorting to negative public agitation or hasty exits.”

On President Tinubu’s performance in office, they said, “We fully endorse the economic and governance reforms led by President Bola Tinubu. While these policies may present challenges, they are crucial steps toward rebuilding our economy and securing a prosperous future for all Nigerians. We urge patience and collective support as their benefits unfold.

“At this pivotal moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey, all APC members—especially those deeply rooted in the party’s formation—must work together to preserve its legacy and consolidate Nigeria’s democracy. Actions that undermine our unity and national stability must be avoided.”

The stakeholders however, asked the APC leadership to increase engagement with members at all levels, saying strengthening internal communication will foster inclusiveness, reduce tensions, and enhance support for the party’s programmes.

“Party unity must be continuously nurtured to sustain past gains and secure a prosperous future. We therefore reaffirm our loyalty to the APC and our steadfast support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The CPC family remains a crucial pillar of the APC and will continue to play a responsible role in its growth and Nigeria’s progress,” the statement added.

“Our CPC Group is 100% behind the Coalition; ignore armchair critics, something big is coming – Babachir Lawal”

In a recent interview, Babachir Lawal, a prominent figure in the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc, reaffirmed the group’s full commitment to an emerging political coalition aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 Nigerian elections.

“I consider myself one of the founding members of the CPC from day one, even before the party was registered. We were Buharists, and I was with Buhari in APP, ANPP, CPC, and so on. I understand the spirit of the party because I remember when we were forming the CPC in Adamawa State, we went to every village and community to promote it.

“After the merger into APC, I believe the legacy party ceased to exist. Politicians often hold onto their groupings driven by ideology. The CPC has an ideology of sacrifice; members are sincere and committed.

We in the CPC group—and of course, you know we are the largest group in the coalition—have mass support, critical support

“I’m fully committed to forming a new party to challenge the APC. I attend all the meetings and hold an eminent position in the coalition.

“As former CPC members who’ve known General Buhari for years, we can read him. If we decide to form a party, out of respect, we’ll inform our leader. We’ll explain our reasons and listen to his advice. In a democracy, we can agree or disagree without coercion.”

“As I told you, we in the CPC group—and of course, you know we are the largest group in the coalition—have mass support, critical support. These are our talakawas.

They are just waiting for us, as Buhari loyalists, to come out and make the announcement

“They are just waiting for us, as Buhari loyalists, to come out and make the announcement. And you will see what happens. When we were forming the CPC, even before we officially started, when we went from village to village trying to set up structures, the villagers had already set up a structure by themselves. They had appointed a chairman, a secretary—they had appointed these roles on their own. That’s what is going to happen. They are there.

“We can just tell them, ‘Gentlemen, we in the CPC, for social reasons, have decided we are not supporting this government, and this is where we are going to fight the battle on your behalf.’ Case closed. They will do the rest.

These people are now going to greet him on Salah—the APC Governors. I was not there when they were telling Baba Buhari what they were saying, but eventually, we will find out what they said.

“We know how to handle them. I’m even surprised this government is behaving the way it does. Initially, they tried to be respectful to Buhari, but eventually, they lost all sense of decorum and decency and started attacking him.

These guys have given us a reason to come against them because the CPC is a Talakawa movement

They said, ‘We are doing this because the government we inherited was terrible. We are doing this because Buhari was allowing the Fulani herdsmen to kill people.’ All sorts of claims. Suddenly, they came out with a frontal attack on the man. Even for that alone, we are obligated, as his supporters and followers, to defend him. Even for that alone.

“These guys have given us a reason to come against them because the CPC is a Talakawa movement.

“You know Talakawa? It’s a movement that has at its heart the needs and feelings of the lower class. That is our ideology, which we learned from Buhari. The primary aim is to serve the disenfranchised, discriminated people in society, which this government has taken as a mission to undermine. They cause suffering. They cause marginalization.

“It is as if the sight of a poor person annoys them, so they want to starve them to death. Now, if you are an original CPC person, it will pain you. It will push you into action, involuntarily, to change this type of system.

“And that is what we learned from Buhari: that you must stand up for the underprivileged in society. You must stand up to fight injustice.

It is as if the sight of a poor person annoys them, so they want to starve them to death. Now, if you are an original CPC person, it will pain you

“I have not joined any other party apart from the APC, where I worked full-time with full energy and resources. I am now part of the movement for the new political party.”

Lawal dismissed the relevance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in merger talks, noting its internal struggles and lack of consideration among coalition members.

He emphasized the coalition’s focus on forming a new mega-party or joining an existing one, with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Labour Party (LP) as potential options, though no final decision has been made.

Lawal also addressed Atiku Abubakar’s active role in the coalition, clarifying that personal ambitions are secondary to the democratic process of selecting a candidate.

“Atiku is actively involved in the coalition; in fact, I think he’s even more committed than everyone else. I can say that based on my analysis of the active role he plays in bringing all the groups together,” Lawal asserts.

“However, many people will probably say he’s doing that because of his own presidential ambitions. It’s not wrong if that’s his motivation. He could be doing it for personal gain or to support another candidate. But that’s never been the issue in these large-scale discussions.

A major political shift, driven by the CPC’s ideology of supporting the underprivileged and combating injustice

“The issue is that we should come together and form a big party where all conflicting interests are accommodated, and then let the democratic process determine who becomes what. First, the democratic process should decide who becomes the leaders of the new party”

Urging Nigerians to ignore “armchair critics,” Lawal hinted at a major political shift, driven by the CPC’s ideology of supporting the underprivileged and combating injustice.