Buhari betrayed: How Al-Makura’s CPC faction sold out, by Mohammed Bello Doka

In a shocking political twist that has unsettled Northern Nigeria’s political elite, a faction of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), led by former Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura and ex-Katsina Governor Aminu Bello Masari, has pledged loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, their April 16 declaration is being dismissed across the North as a desperate and shameless scramble for political survival—one that openly betrays the legacy of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The self-styled CPC bloc—made up of 23 political figures including former Education Minister Adamu Adamu, Senators Ibrahim Musa and Mustafa Salihu, as well as Farouk Adamu Aliyu, Lucy Ajayi, Ayuba Balami, and others—is now under heavy fire. Observers say the group’s claim of representing CPC’s ideology is not only dubious but deeply offensive, especially considering their conspicuous silence as Buhari continues to be vilified by Tinubu’s government.

Buhari Thrown Under the Bus

Under President Tinubu, Buhari’s administration has been repeatedly blamed for the country’s economic troubles. From allegations of bloated debt—which soared from ₦12.6 trillion in 2015 to ₦44.6 trillion by 2023—to accusations of fuel subsidy mismanagement, Tinubu’s inner circle has spared no opportunity to paint Buhari as the architect of Nigeria’s economic mess. Ministers like Atiku Bagudu have laid the blame for inflation and naira devaluation squarely on the former president.

Yet, Al-Makura and his CPC bloc have remained shamefully quiet. Instead of defending the man they once revered, they have aligned with Tinubu’s controversial policies, even applauding his decision to remove subsidies and float the naira—two moves widely seen as worsening poverty across the country.

Social media commentator @NaijaPulse didn’t mince words when it labeled them “CPC turncoats” on April 14, 2025, accusing them of trading Buhari’s legacy for crumbs from Tinubu’s table.

A Hollow Bloc

This CPC bloc’s attempt to portray itself as the true torchbearer of Buhari’s political legacy is marred by the absence of heavyweights who once defined the movement. Notably missing from the April 16 press statement are former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, ex-APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu, Isa Pantami, Mamman Daura, Saliu Mustapha, and even Vice President Kashim Shettima.

El-Rufai’s March 15 defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), reportedly with Buhari’s quiet nod, sent political shockwaves through the North. Politics Nigeria also confirmed that El-Rufai and Malami recently met with opposition leader Atiku Abubakar in Kaduna, fueling speculation of a northern political realignment ahead of 2027.

In contrast, the Al-Makura-led faction appears irrelevant. Their presence at Tinubu’s March 2025 iftar dinner and their praise-singing of government policies signal a group more interested in patronage than principle. Analysts argue that their political capital is eroding fast, especially among northern constituents who feel betrayed and sidelined under Tinubu’s ACN-dominated leadership.

When Did They Last Visit Buhari?

A glaring question remains: When last did Al-Makura’s group visit Buhari? Reports indicate no known meeting with the former president since March 2025. Meanwhile, El-Rufai and Malami have been seen in Kaduna, holding talks with Buhari and other northern influencers, showing active lines of political communication.

Even @PolityWatch dismissed the CPC bloc’s April 16 press briefing as “irrelevant,” pointing out that Tinubu’s Lagos-centric political strategy has no room for the northern CPC legacy. With Tinubu’s key allies predominantly from the South-West, the CPC faction is now merely clinging to shadows, unable to influence APC’s internal direction or national perception.

Desperate Bids for Relevance

Al-Makura is believed to be eyeing the APC national chairmanship, while Masari, long faded from national relevance, appears eager for a new political lifeline. Their ambitions, however, are being seen as self-serving. Neither has lifted a finger to defend Buhari, nor have they shown genuine concern for the Northern masses, many of whom are bearing the brunt of Tinubu’s economic decisions.

Fuel prices have tripled, inflation is out of control, and Northern youths are restive—yet the so-called CPC leaders remain mute, basking in presidential favor while their people suffer. Voices like @NorthVoice have raised alarm, noting widespread northern discontent and accusing the bloc of “selling the region’s political future for temporary favors.”

A Political Gamble Doomed to Fail

As Nigeria inches toward 2027, all signs point to a significant political shift in the North. The real power appears to rest with El-Rufai, Malami, and Pantami—individuals who still command grassroots respect and maintain strategic relationships across the political aisle. Buhari’s silence on Al-Makura’s posturing speaks volumes; it is neither endorsement nor acceptance—it is indifference.

The truth is stark: this CPC faction is a toothless relic, clinging to past glory while betraying the very foundation they once helped build.

Their loyalty lies not with Buhari or the North—but with Tinubu’s patronage network. In the emerging northern political order, Al-Makura’s 23 are becoming footnotes, their betrayal now the epitaph of their dwindling careers.