2027: APC Scrambles to Retain Buhari’s Allegiance as Anti-Tinubu Coalition Gains Ground
Kaduna, Nigeria – April 13, 2025
In a dramatic escalation of pre-2027 political maneuvering, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has launched a strategic charm offensive aimed at retaining the loyalty of former President Muhammadu Buhari amid rising signs of discontent from Northern political blocs and growing fears of an opposition alliance forming around his influential presence.
Reliable sources from within the APC’s National Secretariat confirmed to Sunday PUNCH that recent high-profile visits to Buhari’s Kaduna residence — by APC governors and members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) — were far from casual Sallah courtesy calls. Instead, these visits form part of a concerted effort to prevent Buhari and his supporters from drifting toward opposition forces who are reportedly courting him behind closed doors.
Buhari’s ‘Body Language’ Sparks Alarm Bells in APC
According to an impeccable source close to the party’s leadership, Buhari’s perceived political detachment from the current Tinubu administration has triggered growing unease at the top ranks of the APC. The former president’s aloofness, coupled with the steady stream of opposition figures making pilgrimages to his Kaduna home, has fueled speculation that his loyalties may be shifting — or at least that he is open to new alliances.
“The leaders are concerned that the ex-president has withdrawn and shown limited support for the current government,” the insider told Sunday PUNCH. “They observed that opposition figures have taken advantage of Buhari’s openness to create the impression that his spirit and body language are no longer with the APC.”
Northern Rift Deepens: Tinubu’s Grip Faces Serious Test
The core of the APC’s worries centers on Northern dissatisfaction with the Tinubu presidency. Many influential Northern politicians and grassroots mobilizers feel sidelined, alleging that Tinubu’s administration has not lived up to its promises of inclusion and development for the region. This discontent threatens to erode the Northern political bloc that has historically been the backbone of APC’s electoral victories.
“The party acknowledges that the North is uncomfortable with President Tinubu’s administration and is clearly planning not to support his second term,” the source said. “This makes Buhari’s endorsement even more crucial. The leaders understand that if Buhari distances himself from Tinubu, it could create a chain reaction of defections and dissent ahead of the 2027 elections.”
A Calculated Power Move by the Opposition
Insiders also revealed that opposition heavyweights, particularly former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his allies, have intensified their behind-the-scenes engagements with Buhari. The goal: to harness his enduring popularity in the North and project an image of Buhari as sympathetic — if not outright supportive — of a united front against Tinubu’s second-term ambitions.
“The party leaders have realised that there is fire on the mountain,” the source added. “They are now taking Buhari’s actions and inactions more seriously. They’re doing everything to ensure APC doesn’t lose Buhari and his followers to the strategic moves of the likes of Atiku.”
2027: A Brewing Political Earthquake
As Nigeria inches closer to the next general election, the political climate is already heating up. Tinubu’s bid for a second term is facing increasing resistance from both within and outside the APC. While the party leadership remains officially united behind the President, these recent developments suggest that deep fissures are forming beneath the surface.
Buhari’s potential alignment with an anti-Tinubu coalition could prove to be a game-changer, especially if his endorsement sways key Northern constituencies and influential political actors.
The coming months will be critical for the APC, which now finds itself in a delicate balancing act — keeping Buhari close while addressing the Northern bloc’s grievances, and simultaneously consolidating Tinubu’s 2027 campaign.
Conclusion: A Party at a Crossroads
The APC’s current scramble to resecure Buhari’s loyalty underscores the volatile nature of Nigerian politics ahead of 2027. With former allies turning uncertain and the North growing restless, the ruling party must now navigate treacherous waters if it hopes to retain power.
In this high-stakes political chess game, every move — and every visit — counts.
