Atiku Hosts Ex-CPC Chairmen, Seeks Support Ahead Of 2027

Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday received former state chairmen of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) at his Abuja residence, with the politicians pledging support for his coalition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The CPC, founded by the late President Muhammadu Buhari, merged with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2013 to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Since Buhari’s death in July, speculation has grown that some members of the CPC bloc are drifting away from the APC.

Earlier in the day, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and former Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-Makura, led another CPC group to visit President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, pledging to champion his re-election in 2027.

But during Wednesday’s meeting with Atiku, the ex-CPC chairmen described themselves as “true followers” of Buhari. They vowed to back the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition currently being promoted by the former vice-president.

Responding, Atiku expressed confidence that the coalition would clinch victory in 2027.

He said, “This is a continuation of your journey and struggles, and I believe with your support, we will be able to translate this journey into success.

“Not only that. We will also form a government that will have a kind of impact that President Buhari would have loved to see.”

In a post on his 𝕏 handle, Atiku disclosed that the ex-CPC leaders shared their frustration with the Tinubu-led administration.

He wrote, “This afternoon, I received state chairmen of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) at my residence in Abuja. They had come to express their support for the mission to rescue our country from the stranglehold of the incumbent incompetent APC-led administration.

“They particularly expressed their worry about how the Tinubu-led administration has grossly derailed from the ideals of concern for the ordinary Nigerians, which they reckoned was the abiding principle of the initial APC administration.”

Atiku explained to his guests that the ADC coalition was built on grassroots mobilisation.

He said, “I took time to explain how current efforts to create a coalition platform began. I also gave them the pledge that the coalition platform, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is a people-powered political platform.

“I especially encouraged them to mobilise their supporters for the ongoing voter registration exercise.”

The PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election said he was encouraged by the “warm and frank conversation” with the politicians.

“I look forward to a robust partnership that will not just oust the incumbent anti-people government but restore genuine hope to the people,” Atiku added.