The Forum for State Chairmen of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) has rejected claims that it has endorsed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the 2027 presidency.
In a statement signed by Kasim Mabo (National Chairman) and Sulaiman Oyaremi (National Secretary), the Forum distanced itself from a recent visit by a few members to Atiku. They described the move as misleading and unrepresentative of the group.
The Forum clarified that out of 37 members, 16 have pledged allegiance to Atiku. Meanwhile, 20 members remain committed to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
According to the statement, opposition leaders and Atiku’s associates tried to pressure the Forum. They offered financial incentives to sway members away from the governing party.
> “We categorically state that 20 members of the group remain committed to the APC. Our Forum has faced intense pressure, including financial offers from opposition leaders. Nine members succumbed a few months ago, and seven others followed last week. However, 20 of us remain firm, though we lost one member from Borno State,” the statement read.
The Forum urged the Presidency and APC leadership to address the neglect of the CPC bloc. They noted that the Forum of State Chairmen feels increasingly alienated.
Moreover, they highlighted that the Forum is a direct link to grassroots structures that gave the CPC national relevance.
“Without sounding immodest, we remain the direct link to grassroots structures that gave the CPC its national relevance. We also worked with President Buhari of blessed memory to achieve the much-touted 12.5 million votes,” the statement added.
The Forum dismissed the recent visit as an attempt to deceive Atiku. They stressed that the gathering lacked political substance and aimed to create a false impression of widespread support.
The Forum emphasised that former CPC State Chairmen remain a key grassroots structure. They contributed significantly to the CPC’s national relevance before its merger into the APC.
Finally, they reaffirmed their loyalty and 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.
