Politics

Buhari’s CPC Bloc Speaks on Leaving APC

Published

4 weeks ago

Apr 17, 2025.

The CPC was a key opposition party founded by Buhari and one of several parties that merged in 2013 to form the APC.
CPC merger with other party resulted in the ousting of the PDP from power in 2015.
“Politics is about engagement. Politics is about the interests of groups, people, and so on. That is what we are saying: engage more, not only with people from the defunct CPC, but even from the PDP. So that in 2027, there will be less competition”.

Farouk Aliyu, a close associate of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has refuted rumors suggesting that members of the now-defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) are planning to leave the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The CPC, a key opposition party founded by Buhari, was one of several parties that merged in 2013 to form the APC.

The APC emerged from the amalgamation of prominent opposition parties, including Buhari’s CPC, Bola Tinubu’s Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and the new PDP – a faction of the then-opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

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This merger resulted in the ousting of the PDP from power in 2015.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the coalition led to Buhari’s successful bid for presidency in 2015, marking the end of the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) 16-year rule.

During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Farouk Aliyu, a key figure within Buhari’s inner circle, vehemently denied rumours that the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) faction within the APC is planning to leave the party.

The former House of Representatives Minority Leader said, “It’s not true; there is nothing like members of the defunct CPC wanting to leave the APC,” he said. “Our certificate — the certificate of CPC — was part of what formed the APC. So how can we leave? To go where? This is our party.”

Aliyu also addressed the recent political tensions surrounding former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, dismissing claims that former President Buhari had endorsed El-Rufai’s reported discontent or possible defection from the APC following his exclusion from President Bola Tinubu’s ministerial list.

Buhari's CPC Bloc Speaks on Leaving APC

“Former Governor El-Rufai should not attempt to bring down the roof simply because he did not get a ministerial appointment,” Aliyu said, adding that Buhari remains loyal to the party and has not sanctioned any move to destabilize it.

He emphasized the importance of internal cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging the APC leadership to intensify efforts to engage all political blocs and interest groups — both within the party and beyond.

“Politics is about engagement. Politics is about the interests of groups, people, and so on. That is what we are saying: engage more, not only with people from the defunct CPC, but even from the PDP. So that in 2027, there will be less competition,” he advised.

Aliyu also responded to the growing opposition alliances being formed under former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, warning that the APC would not “sit by and allow” the coalition to take over government.