Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of 2027 is taking a dramatic turn as loyalists of late former President Muhammadu Buhari rally behind ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, even as President Bola Tinubu made a symbolic visit to Buhari’s family in Kaduna.
The development signals a fierce contest over who inherits Buhari’s vast northern political base—an asset still capable of shaping national elections.
CPC bloc shifts allegiance
A few days ago, state chairmen of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC)—Buhari’s original political platform—met privately with Atiku at his Abuja residence. The group, long regarded as the backbone of Buhari’s northern power structure, openly declared support for Atiku’s coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“Bring it out, make it visible. Politics does not operate in the corner; bring your politics out. We are the true followers of Buhari, and we are here today, Sir… The CPC bloc is intact,” one leader said, insisting that Buhari’s legacy must not be “lost” under the current APC.
Atiku’s response
Atiku welcomed the delegation warmly, casting himself as custodian of Buhari’s political ideals.
“This meeting represents a continuation of your journey and your struggles. I believe that with your support, we will be able to translate this journey into success,” he told them.
Tinubu in Kaduna
Amid the CPC defection, President Tinubu traveled to Kaduna over the weekend, attending the wedding of Nasirudeen Yari, son of Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, and paying a courtesy visit to Aisha Buhari, widow of the former president.
Though presented as a gesture of respect, the visit carried political undertones. Standing in Buhari’s family home, Tinubu sought to reassert his claim as heir to the late leader’s northern networks.
Struggle over Buhari’s legacy
For Buhari loyalists, Tinubu’s APC has strayed from the principles that defined Buhari’s rise. Figures like Abubakar Malami and Nasir El-Rufai were cited as truer custodians of the CPC tradition than those currently in power.
The battle now extends to voter mobilisation. Atiku’s ADC is pushing grassroots registration drives, while APC strategists work to defend their northern strongholds. Analysts warn that if Buhari’s traditional base tilts away from APC, the ruling party could face significant losses in the region.
2027 calculations
The unfolding drama highlights what observers describe as a “legacy trial.” Buhari’s political weight, once firmly anchored within APC, is now contested terrain.
For Atiku, winning over Buhari’s bloc could translate symbolism into structure, and eventually into votes. For Tinubu, Kaduna’s visit underscores a fight to retain loyalty in a region where Buhari’s memory still inspires fervent devotion.
The opening shots have been fired, and the outcome may determine not only the strength of APC and ADC but also the shape of Nigeria’s leadership in 2027.
