Ahead of the 2027 general elections, former state chairmen of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change have declared that their continued stay in the All Progressives Congress is rooted in loyalty to their political leader and former President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the forum’s National Secretary, Sulaiman Oyaremi, the former CPC leaders affirmed their commitment to the APC, while expressing concern over the internal wrangling and marginalisation of their bloc within the party.

“Except for a few of us, we are unanimous in our decision to remain in the party with our principal, former President Muhammadu Buhari,” the statement read. “We owe it to ourselves to support the current leader of the party, President Bola  Tinubu, and contribute to building an inclusive APC where all stakeholders feel a sense of belonging.”

The forum acknowledged that many former CPC members feel sidelined within the APC, both in terms of appointments and inclusion in party structures, despite their contributions to the party’s electoral victories.

They lamented the lack of recognition for their role in the formation and growth of the APC.

“Members of the defunct CPC, especially former state chairmen, have not been treated fairly in government appointments or party structures at both national and state levels,” the statement added.

While speculation had suggested that elements within the CPC might form a coalition with opposition figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, the forum distanced itself from such moves.

Their stance followed an earlier meeting on April 16, where former CPC members led by ex-Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al-Makura reaffirmed their loyalty to President Tinubu and the APC.

However, this drew criticism from former Attorney General Abubakar Malami (SAN), who argued that Al-Makura lacked the mandate to speak for the CPC bloc.

Addressing the factionalism, the forum noted, “Unfortunately, with several camps speaking for the defunct CPC, the situation has exposed a lack of coherent leadership within the bloc.”

Nonetheless, they emphasised that decisions to remain in or leave the APC are a democratic right and should not be a source of division.

“We do not begrudge those who have decided to quit the APC,” they said, reiterating their choice to stay, guided by loyalty to Buhari.

The forum also used the opportunity to call on the Tinubu administration to shift focus away from political maneuvering ahead of 2027 and address the growing insecurity and economic challenges facing the nation.

“We urge the President and APC governments at all levels to prioritise tackling these existential issues rather than focusing on the next election,” the forum added.