Why Buhari Didn’t Attend APC NEC Meeting Emerge

Former President Muhammadu Buhari was absent from the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday, and his spokesperson, Malam Garba Shehu, has now revealed why.

The high-profile meeting, presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, APC governors, members of the National Working Committee (NWC), and other key stakeholders.

However, Buhari, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi were noticeably absent, fueling speculation about their relationship with the APC.

“Buhari Received His Invitation Too Late”

Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, Shehu explained that Buhari’s absence was due to a late invitation from the party, which made it impossible for him to travel from Daura to Abuja in time for the meeting.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is not a caucus member of the party. He was supposed to attend the NEC meeting, but unfortunately, the invitation to the meeting was forwarded to him on Monday and it reached him on Tuesday. For this, he could not leave Daura for Abuja even if he owns a private jet,” Shehu stated.

Despite his physical absence, Shehu assured that Buhari remained aligned with the APC and its leadership, dismissing any speculation that his absence signalled disengagement from party affairs.

“Buhari is a founding member of the APC. He was nominated by the party for president twice. He is a member of the APC even though he did not attend the meeting,” he added.

Buhari’s “Spirit” Present At the Meeting

The former presidential spokesperson further emphasized that Buhari’s commitment to the APC remains strong, stating that even though he was not physically present, his spirit was with the attendees.

“Even though the former president was absent from the meeting physically, his spirit was with the attendees,” Shehu noted.

The NEC meeting comes at a time of growing internal divisions within the APC, with some aggrieved party leaders—including El-Rufai and Amaechi—openly expressing concerns over the party’s direction.

While President Tinubu used the meeting to call for reconciliation and unity, the absence of key figures like Buhari and El-Rufai has raised further questions about ongoing rifts within the ruling party.