Leaders of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) have denied endorsing a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2027 Presidential elections.
The bloc said their loyalty remains unshaken with the All Progressives Congress and President Bola Tinubu, saying they would ensure their party keeps afloat.
Daily Trust reports that members of the CPC, one of the blocs that birthed APC in 2013, have in recent time been vocal.
SPONSOR AD
They had alleged systematic marginalisation and exclusion from the key appointments and decision-making process in the current administration.
In a statement during the weekend by the forum for State Chairmen of the defunct CPC, the bloc distanced itself from a reported visit to the former VP.
The statement signed by the National Chairman and Secretary, Kasim Mabo and Sulaiman Oyaremi respectively, described the move as “misleading and unrepresentative” of the group.
The forum clarified that out of its 37 members, 20 remain firmly committed to the APC and the administration of President Tinubu, saying although 16 have pledged allegiance to the former VP.
It also alleged that opposition leaders, including associates of the ex-VP had exerted pressure on the Forum, offering promises of financial inducement to lure members away from the governing party.
“We wish to categorically state that 20 members of the group remain committed to the All Progressives Congress.”
“We wish to state clearly that for some time now, our forum has been put under intense pressure which includes financial gratification by opposition leaders which accounts for why nine of our members succumbed to their pressure a few months ago, and seven others joined them only last week as it appears they could no longer resist the pressure.
“As we speak, however, 20 of us remain unwavering as we have lost one of our members from Borno State. This moment, however, calls for reflection, especially by the Presidency and the APC leadership to urgently address the continued neglect of the CPC bloc, particularly the forum of State Chairmen who are feeling increasingly alienated.
“Without the fear of sounding immodest we remain the direct link to the grassroots structures that gave the CPC its national relevance and we were the Chairmen that worked with President Buhari of blessed memory to achieve the much touted 12.5 million votes,” Mabo and Oyaremi said in the statement.
Dismissing the visit, the forum maintained that it was nothing more than an attempt to deceive the former Vice President.
Reaffirming its loyalty, the forum pledged continued support for the leadership of the defunct CPC bloc, led by Sen. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari and Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.
“We remain loyal, patient, but firm in our resolve to demand for better patronage just as we pray that the Almighty God shall continue to guide Mr President and indeed all our leaders,” the statement added.
