By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA: Ahead of the 2027 Presidential Election, loyalists of former President Muhammadu Buhari, under the aegis of the Forum of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change CPC within the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, on Thursday, declared support for President Bola Tinubu.

The declaration came amidst recent speculation that Buhari’s loyalists were displeased with Tinubu and were planning on leaving the APC en masse.

Those who met in Abuja on Thursday and declared support for the president included the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas who sent in his apologies; Katsina State Governor, Dr Dikko Radda; the Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, who also sent in his apologies; Foreign Affairs minister, Maitama Tuggar; former Governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Tanko Almakura; former Katsina State Governor and ex-House Speaker, Aminu Bello Masari and Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, General Buba Marwa (retd).

Others included a former Aviation minister, Hadi Sirika; former Director General of the Voice of Nigeria VoN, Osita Okechukwu, former presidential aide, Okoi Obono Obla, former National Secretary of the APC, Arc. Waziri Bulama, former House of Representatives member, Farouk Adamu and many others.

They said that while individuals have a right to pursue their political ambitions elsewhere, they do not have to do so under the cloak of “defunct CPC members”.

Answering a question about whether the bloc would still support Tinubu, one of the leaders, Hon. Farouk Adamu, expressed optimism that the president would be its candidate even in 2027.

“We are with Tinubu just like our leader (Buhari) and secondly, it is our conviction that Tinubu will continue to be our candidate in 2027,” he said.

‘Loyal APC members’

Presenting the bloc’s resolutions, Almakura said the stakeholders had come together with clarity, unity, and purpose, to reaffirm their commitment to the ideals that brought them together in 2013, “to set the records straight, and to send a clear message to all Nigerians that the former CPC majority stakeholders remain strong, united, and deeply loyal to the All Progressives Congress and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.

Noting that recent developments in the polity had led to speculation and misinformation regarding the position of the CPC bloc, Almakura said; “We, the majority stakeholders of the former Congress for Progressive Change CPC, who were part of the historic merger that birthed the All Progressives Congress APC, have gathered to reaffirm our identity, clarify our position, and speak with one united voice to the Nigerian public and to our teeming supporters across the nation.

“Recent developments have seen a flood of speculation and misinformation about the position of the former CPC within the APC. Let it be known clearly that we have not left the APC. We are very much here, standing tall, standing proud, and standing firm within the party that we helped to found through sweat, sacrifice, and patriotic commitment. We remain part and parcel of the APC family.

“We recall with pride how we in the CPC in collaboration with other patriots in ACN, ANPP, APGA, DPP, and nPDP contributed enormously to the spirit of unity and national cohesion that led to the defeat of an incumbent government in 2015, and ushered in a new era under the leadership of our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari. It is this spirit of sacrifice, patriotism, and commitment to Nigeria’s future that guides our every action.

“Today, under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria faces challenging but necessary reforms. As responsible citizens and co-founders of this political party, we believe that now more than ever, we must remain steadfast, patient, and supportive. We commend the bold steps taken by President Tinubu and we urge Nigerians to trust the process, knowing that the foundation being laid today will lead to a more prosperous and secure future.

“To our brothers and sisters who may feel aggrieved, we urge them to explore options within the party to resolve their grievances through dialogue, patience, and perseverance. True loyalty is tested not in times of comfort but in times of travail.

“We urge all to use the structures and constitutional avenues forward, we do so with renewed strength, a deep sense of responsibility, and an unshakable commitment to the APC and the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and ultimately, the future of our beloved country.”

He said members of the former CPC stand tall, proud, and firmly rooted in the APC family and the service of the country.