Senator Ali Ndume has told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be concerned if former President Muhammadu Buhari is not supporting him. Ndume said even though Buhari has just one vote like everyone else, he still has a strong and loyal following, especially in Northern Nigeria.
Ndume made this statement during an interview on Channels TV. He spoke after former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar visited Buhari in Kaduna with other opposition leaders. Ndume also said he is planning to visit Buhari soon.
He explained that although Buhari is no longer in power and his popularity has reduced, many people in the North still admire him deeply. According to Ndume, Buhari’s supporters are very loyal, and many people still rush to see him whenever he visits.
Ndume advised Tinubu to take Buhari seriously. He said, “Tinubu should be worried if Buhari is not on his side. Every vote matters. Buhari has one vote, and I have one vote too. Tinubu should care about my vote, just like I care about his.”
Recently, there have been fears that the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc within the ruling APC might leave the party. This concern grew after APC governors visited Buhari in Kaduna. Though the visit was first seen as a normal meeting, many now believe it was to stop more defections from the party.
The worry is that if the CPC bloc, which was a big part of the APC’s formation, leaves the party, it could hurt the APC badly in the 2027 elections. Buhari is still seen as the key figure of the CPC, and his support could influence many voters.
Some of Buhari’s close allies, including former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, have already left APC to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP). El-Rufai even said he got Buhari’s blessing before leaving. Other former ministers are also planning to leave APC for SDP, especially in Buhari’s home state, Katsina.
The APC governors are hoping Buhari will convince his allies to stay in the party. But Buhari has refused to do that. He said people should be free to make their own political decisions. Still, Buhari has confirmed he remains loyal to the APC.
Garba Shehu, Buhari’s spokesman, said the former president will never turn his back on the party that made him president.
