On Wednesday, members of the now-defunct Congress for Progressives Change disassociated themselves from any potential alliance against the All Progressives Congress and President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
As an alternative, they swore allegiance to the President and the ruling party.
Recently, there have been hints that the bloc, led by Tanko Al-Makura, a former governor of Nasarawa State, would join forces with Nasir El-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna State, whose intention to spearhead an opposition effort against President Tinubu in 2027 is well known.
Following a meeting held at Al-Makura’s home in Abuja on Wednesday, members of the now-defunct CPC reiterated their loyalty to Tinubu and the APC.
“We, the undersigned leaders and dedicated members of the former Congress for Progressive Change, instrumental in the historic merger that birthed the All Progressives Congress, issue this statement to reaffirm our unwavering loyalty to our great party and express our strong solidarity with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” the group said in a statement co-signed by Al-Makura, former Katsina State Governor Bello Masari, and 21 other individuals.
“Recent false reports implying dissatisfaction or defection among CPC stakeholders are naughty, naughty, and should be ignored. We are still an essential component of the APC and are totally dedicated to its direction and leadership.
“We firmly declare that we have not left the APC and we have no plans to do so. We are steadfast in our dedication to the APC and its progressive principles, and the CPC bloc continues to be one of its cornerstones.
As a heritage party within the APC, they continued, “We are proud of the sacrifices made to create a platform that promotes progress, justice, and national unity. We won’t let anyone ruin the celebration we helped create with years of unwavering commitment.
“Attempts to sow disunity within the party and the country do not reflect the will or position of genuine CPC core members and are wholly unacceptable.”
In a show of support to the current administration, they commended Tinubu, saying “We fully endorse the economic and governance reforms led by President Bola Tinubu. While these policies may present challenges, they are crucial steps toward rebuilding our economy and securing a prosperous future for all Nigerians. We urge patience and collective support as their benefits unfold.”
They, however, advocated due process to address the rift within the APC.
“We acknowledge that some members may feel sidelined, but such concerns are not unique to any one bloc. We encourage those affected to seek redress through established constitutional channels within the party, rather than resorting to negative public agitation or hasty exits.
“We urge the APC leadership to increase engagement with members at all levels. Strengthening internal communication will foster inclusiveness, reduce tensions, and enhance support for the party’s programs.
“Party unity must be continuously nurtured to sustain past gains and secure a prosperous future.
“We therefore reaffirm our loyalty to the APC and our steadfast support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The CPC family remains a crucial pillar of the APC and will continue to play a responsible role in its growth and in Nigeria’s progress,” they pledged.Other prominent members of the CPC bloc which endorsed the statement included former Education Minister, Malam Adamu Adamu; Okoi Okono-Obla, Sen Mustapha Salihu, Waziri Bulama and Jerry Johnson, among others.
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