In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by its National Chairman, Kasim Mabo, the National Secretary, Sulaiman Oyaremi, the South West Coordinator, Olalekan Obolo, the South East Coordinator, Enyinnaya Nnachi, and the North East and North West Coordinator, Ahmad Dawayo, the Forum said only a fraction of its members aligned with Atiku, while the majority remain committed to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Chairmen of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change’s (CPC) Forum of State have dissociated themselves from the recent visit of some of its members to the Abuja residence of the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing the move as a personal decision that does not reflect the group’s position.
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by its National Chairman, Kasim Mabo, the National Secretary, Sulaiman Oyaremi, the South West Coordinator, Olalekan Obolo, the South East Coordinator, Enyinnaya Nnachi, and the North East and North West Coordinator, Ahmad Dawayo, the Forum said only a fraction of its members aligned with Atiku, while the majority remain committed to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“We wish to categorically state that 20 members of the group remain committed to the All Progressives Congress,” the statement read.
The CPC used to be the stronghold of late former president, Muhammadu Buhari before it joined the APC coalition prior to the 2015 general elections.
“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,” the Forum added.
The Forum revealed that out of its 37 members, 16 had pledged support to Atiku while 20 stood firmly with President Bola Tinubu.
It added that one member from Borno State had recently passed away.
“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,” the Forum stressed.
The statement also warned that the visit to Atiku’s residence was calculated to create a false impression of widespread support.
“The gathering of CPC elements at Atiku’s residence was nothing short of a move to give the former Vice President a misleading impression of widespread support,” it said.
Atiku, a former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and currently one of the pioneers of the opposition coalition launched on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has reportedly been reaching out to opposition figures as part of moves to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
While he has not formally declared for any party, there are indications he may finally declare his membership of the ADC ahead of the polls.
Already, former CPC stalwarts including ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal are working with Atiku in the opposition coalition against Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Reaffirming its loyalty to the APC, the Forum pledged support for the leadership of the CPC bloc, led by Senator Tanko Al-Makura, former Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari, and Speaker of the House of Representatives 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 Forum added.