- Says We Won’t Let Anyone Dismantle Party We’ve Tirelessly Built
- Declares Support For Tinubu’s Economic, Governance Reforms
- Three Suspected Herdsmen Nabbed Over Benue Killings
Ahead of the 2027 General Election, members of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) have poured cold water on any planned coalition against President Bola Tinubu and the All-Progressives Congress (APC).
Rather, they pledged their loyalty and allegiance to the ruling party and the President.
In the run-up to the 2015 election, the CPC, a party founded by former president Muhammadu Buhari, was one of the key opposition parties that formed a coalition that metamorphosed into the APC in 2013.
Other part of the coalition includes the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and the new-PDP bloc from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The coalition proved historic, as it culminated in ending the PDP’s 16-year rule in the 2015 elections, bringing Buhari to power. It marked the first time an opposition party unseated an incumbent government.
As the 2027 general election beckons, speculations are rife that some aggrieved members of the CPC bloc in the APC are threatening to leave the ruling party over alleged marginalisation.
Although none of the aggrieved members have publicly announced the defection plans, many speculated that they may be planning to join the coalition movement spearheaded by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
Already, a prominent CPC member and former governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai, has since dumped the APC for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Reacting to the alleged dissention which seems to be gathering momentum, former CPC leaders in a statement issued on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, described the reports of defection among their members as “false and mischievous.”
The statement was signed by 23 former CPC leaders, including Umaru Al-Makura, former governor of Nasarawa; Aminu Masari, former governor of Katsina; Adamu Adamu, former education minister; and Farouk Aliyu, a former member of the House of Representatives.
Others include Lucy Ajayi, former executive director of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board; Okoi Obono-Obla, former presidential aide; and Osita Okechukwu, former director-general of the Voice of Nigeria (VON).
The former CPC members said they “remain resolutely committed to the APC,” describing the party as a “collective project” that must be protected.
The statement reads, “We, the undersigned leaders and committed members of the former Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), who were part of those instrumental in the historic merger that gave birth to the All-Progressives Congress (APC), hereby issue this statement to clarify our unalloyed loyalty to our great party and express firm solidarity with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” the statement reads.
“We wish to state categorically that we have neither left the APC nor do we intend to leave.
“The CPC bloc remains one of the legacy foundations of the APC, and we are resolute in our commitment to the party and its progressive ideals.”
The ex-CPC leaders said they are proud of the sacrifices made to build the APC and warned against any attempt to dismantle the platform.
“We will not allow some people to dismantle the party we helped to build through years of tireless work and dedication,” the group said.
The former CPC leaders described ongoing attempts to sow disunity in the APC as acts of “division and desperation” that they “totally reject.”
“We align ourselves fully with the economic and governance reforms being undertaken by President Bola Tinubu,” the CPC leaders said.
“Though challenging, these policies are necessary steps to rebuild our economy and secure a better future for all Nigerians.
“We urge patience and collective support as the benefits unfold; while we acknowledge that some party members may feel sidelined, we emphasize that such grievances are not exclusive to any one bloc.
“We advise those concerned to seek redress through constitutional channels within the party and not to resort to negative public agitation or hasty exits from the party.”
The former CPC leaders called on all APC members to work together to preserve the party’s legacy and deepen Nigeria’s democracy.
In another development, three suspected herdsmen have been arrested following the attacks that led to the killing of 11 persons at Otobi community in Otupko local government by suspected herdsmen.
Governor Hyacinth Alia disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists at the Government House in Makurdi, the state capital.
He expressed worry over the situation and called on security agencies to track down the perpetrators.
According to Alia, National Security Advisor, Nuhu Ribadu, has promised to deploy more security assets to the State to arrest the renewed wave of attacks in the state, especially the Otukpo axis.
The governor also announced the deployment of security personnel to the affected area, with three suspected herdsmen arrested in connection with the Otobi killings.
According to the member representing Otukpo-Akpa Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Kennedy Angbo, nine corpses were recovered Tuesday night, followed by one in a hard-to-reach area later that evening.
By dawn Wednesday, other corpses were found, bringing the total number of fatalities to 11.
The attack has sent shockwaves through the state, particularly because the Otobi community—home to the Federal Ministry of Water Resources Multipurpose Dam—has now come under assault twice this April.
A security guard was previously killed at the dam site just days before this latest massacre.
Earlier, the governor sent his deputy, Samuel Ode, on an assessment tour to the devastated community.
He offered condolences to the grieving families and reassured residents of the state government’s commitment to tackling the spate of violent attacks across rural areas.
Ode also made some cash donations to cater for some immediate relief while the state emergency management agency has been tasked to move in for needs assessment and provide emergency response to those in need.
The attack on Otobi is the latest in a disturbing string of assaults along the Otukpo-Ado Road, from Okpamaju to Asa One and Asa Two down to the Ebonyi State border.
- Says We Won’t Let Anyone Dismantle Party We’ve Tirelessly Built
- Declares Support For Tinubu’s Economic, Governance Reforms
- Three Suspected Herdsmen Nabbed Over Benue Killings
Ahead of the 2027 General Election, members of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) have poured cold water on any planned coalition against President Bola Tinubu and the All-Progressives Congress (APC).
Rather, they pledged their loyalty and allegiance to the ruling party and the President.
In the run-up to the 2015 election, the CPC, a party founded by former president Muhammadu Buhari, was one of the key opposition parties that formed a coalition that metamorphosed into the APC in 2013.
Other part of the coalition includes the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and the new-PDP bloc from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The coalition proved historic, as it culminated in ending the PDP’s 16-year rule in the 2015 elections, bringing Buhari to power. It marked the first time an opposition party unseated an incumbent government.
As the 2027 general election beckons, speculations are rife that some aggrieved members of the CPC bloc in the APC are threatening to leave the ruling party over alleged marginalisation.
Although none of the aggrieved members have publicly announced the defection plans, many speculated that they may be planning to join the coalition movement spearheaded by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
Already, a prominent CPC member and former governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai, has since dumped the APC for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Reacting to the alleged dissention which seems to be gathering momentum, former CPC leaders in a statement issued on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, described the reports of defection among their members as “false and mischievous.”
The statement was signed by 23 former CPC leaders, including Umaru Al-Makura, former governor of Nasarawa; Aminu Masari, former governor of Katsina; Adamu Adamu, former education minister; and Farouk Aliyu, a former member of the House of Representatives.
Others include Lucy Ajayi, former executive director of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board; Okoi Obono-Obla, former presidential aide; and Osita Okechukwu, former director-general of the Voice of Nigeria (VON).
The former CPC members said they “remain resolutely committed to the APC,” describing the party as a “collective project” that must be protected.
The statement reads, “We, the undersigned leaders and committed members of the former Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), who were part of those instrumental in the historic merger that gave birth to the All-Progressives Congress (APC), hereby issue this statement to clarify our unalloyed loyalty to our great party and express firm solidarity with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” the statement reads.
“We wish to state categorically that we have neither left the APC nor do we intend to leave.
“The CPC bloc remains one of the legacy foundations of the APC, and we are resolute in our commitment to the party and its progressive ideals.”
The ex-CPC leaders said they are proud of the sacrifices made to build the APC and warned against any attempt to dismantle the platform.
“We will not allow some people to dismantle the party we helped to build through years of tireless work and dedication,” the group said.
The former CPC leaders described ongoing attempts to sow disunity in the APC as acts of “division and desperation” that they “totally reject.”
“We align ourselves fully with the economic and governance reforms being undertaken by President Bola Tinubu,” the CPC leaders said.
“Though challenging, these policies are necessary steps to rebuild our economy and secure a better future for all Nigerians.
“We urge patience and collective support as the benefits unfold; while we acknowledge that some party members may feel sidelined, we emphasize that such grievances are not exclusive to any one bloc.
“We advise those concerned to seek redress through constitutional channels within the party and not to resort to negative public agitation or hasty exits from the party.”
The former CPC leaders called on all APC members to work together to preserve the party’s legacy and deepen Nigeria’s democracy.
In another development, three suspected herdsmen have been arrested following the attacks that led to the killing of 11 persons at Otobi community in Otupko local government by suspected herdsmen.
Governor Hyacinth Alia disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists at the Government House in Makurdi, the state capital.
He expressed worry over the situation and called on security agencies to track down the perpetrators.
According to Alia, National Security Advisor, Nuhu Ribadu, has promised to deploy more security assets to the State to arrest the renewed wave of attacks in the state, especially the Otukpo axis.
The governor also announced the deployment of security personnel to the affected area, with three suspected herdsmen arrested in connection with the Otobi killings.
According to the member representing Otukpo-Akpa Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Kennedy Angbo, nine corpses were recovered Tuesday night, followed by one in a hard-to-reach area later that evening.
By dawn Wednesday, other corpses were found, bringing the total number of fatalities to 11.
The attack has sent shockwaves through the state, particularly because the Otobi community—home to the Federal Ministry of Water Resources Multipurpose Dam—has now come under assault twice this April.
A security guard was previously killed at the dam site just days before this latest massacre.
Earlier, the governor sent his deputy, Samuel Ode, on an assessment tour to the devastated community.
He offered condolences to the grieving families and reassured residents of the state government’s commitment to tackling the spate of violent attacks across rural areas.
Ode also made some cash donations to cater for some immediate relief while the state emergency management agency has been tasked to move in for needs assessment and provide emergency response to those in need.
The attack on Otobi is the latest in a disturbing string of assaults along the Otukpo-Ado Road, from Okpamaju to Asa One and Asa Two down to the Ebonyi State border.
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