The Forum of State Chairmen of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) has reaffirmed its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, distancing itself from reports that it had endorsed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
CPC Forum: Visit to Atiku Was Personal, Not Collective
In a statement signed by Kasim Mabo (National Chairman), Sulaiman Oyaremi (National Secretary), and other regional coordinators, the Forum said only 16 of its 37 members had aligned with Atiku, while 20 remained firmly committed to Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The group admitted that opposition figures had attempted to lure them with financial inducements.
“For some time now, our Forum has been put under intense pressure, including offers of financial gratification. That is why nine of our members succumbed months ago, and seven others joined them last week. But 20 of us remain unwavering,” the statement read.
The Forum urged the Presidency and APC leadership to address the “continued neglect of the CPC bloc,” stressing that they were instrumental in delivering the 12.5 million votes that powered Muhammadu Buhari’s political relevance.
Atiku’s Moves and Opposition Bloc
Atiku, who has left the PDP and is reportedly set to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has been wooing opposition heavyweights—including Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Babachir Lawal—to unite against Tinubu in 2027.
Earlier in the week, Atiku posted photos of visiting ex-CPC chairmen, urging them to mobilise their supporters for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration. The CPC Forum, however, dismissed this as a “misleading impression of widespread support.”
Presidency Defends Tinubu Over Rivers Emergency Rule
Meanwhile, the Presidency pushed back against ADC criticisms of Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State.
Presidential aide Sunday Dare insisted Tinubu acted constitutionally under Section 305 to prevent chaos, arguing that his intervention restored stability and democratic governance.
“What the President delivered is stability, peace, and order. To accuse him of undermining federalism is laughable. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has fought harder for state autonomy than anyone alive today,” Dare said.
South-West and North-Central Consolidations
-
Lagos LCDA Mobilises for Tinubu:
At the launch of a Tinubu 2027 support group in Ojokoro LCDA, Lagos Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa declared:
“The President is doing wonderfully well. Within two years, his achievements are unprecedented. If we play our part, 2027 will be a walkover.”
-
Kwara South Leaders Endorse Tinubu:
At the Kwara South Leaders’ Roundtable in Oro, Deputy Senate Leader Oyelola Ashiru and other stakeholders praised Tinubu’s appointments and federal attention to the region.
Ashiru said:
“The President has recognised us and done so much for us. The best thing any leader can stand on is the interest of his people. We have every reason to align with him in 2027.”
Former APC chairman Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa also backed the endorsement, calling Kwara South’s unity a “clear message of confidence in Tinubu’s second term.”
Takeaway:
-
CPC bloc split: Majority backs Tinubu, minority drifts to Atiku.
-
Opposition realignment: Atiku building alliances through ADC, with El-Rufai and Amaechi.
-
Tinubu’s support base: Strong in Lagos (grassroots LCDA mobilization) and Kwara South (federal patronage).
-
Presidency’s defence: Framing Rivers’ emergency powers as a constitutional necessity.
