A delegation of state governors elected under the banner of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) convened at the Kaduna residence of former President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday. Led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who also chairs the All Progressives Governors Forum, the governors engaged in a private meeting with Buhari. The visit, occurring against a backdrop of defections from the APC by some of Buhari’s former allies, was publicly framed as a gesture of respect and concern for the former president’s well-being. Uzodimma emphasized Buhari’s paternal role within the APC, describing him as the party’s founding father. The timing of the visit, however, inevitably fueled speculation about its connection to the recent political realignments and the APC’s efforts to maintain unity and stability.
The meeting took place in the wake of several high-profile departures from the APC, including former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, a prominent figure in Buhari’s administration. El-Rufai’s defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), along with reports of other former ministers and APC members in Buhari’s home state of Katsina following suit, raised concerns about a potential exodus of Buhari loyalists. Uzodimma sought to downplay these concerns, portraying the governors’ visit as a demonstration of the APC’s continued strength and cohesion. He underscored the party’s numerical dominance, boasting its status as the largest party in Africa and highlighting its control of 21 governorships.
Uzodimma’s remarks emphasized the personal and political significance of the visit. He highlighted the governors’ relief at finding Buhari in good health, portraying the meeting as a familial reunion. He reiterated Buhari’s continued support for the APC and its current leadership under President Bola Tinubu. This assertion aimed to project an image of unity and continuity between the Buhari and Tinubu administrations, despite the ongoing defections. By framing the visit as a customary post-Ramadan and Easter greeting, Uzodimma sought to normalize the event and deflect attention from the underlying political tensions.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani echoed Uzodimma’s sentiments, commending Buhari for his backing of President Tinubu and the APC. Sani’s remarks further reinforced the message of unity and continuity, emphasizing the importance of Buhari’s endorsement for the current administration. The closed-door nature of the meeting, however, left room for speculation about the specific issues discussed. While the governors publicly emphasized their concern for Buhari’s well-being and their reaffirmation of party unity, the private discussions likely delved into the more sensitive issues of the recent defections and the strategies for mitigating their impact on the APC.
The visit by the APC governors to former President Buhari served multiple purposes. On the surface, it was presented as a respectful gesture to a party elder and a demonstration of concern for his health. However, the timing and context of the visit suggest a more strategic objective. By publicly emphasizing Buhari’s continued support for the APC and President Tinubu, the governors aimed to project an image of stability and unity within the party, countering the narrative of fragmentation and decline fueled by the recent defections.
The closed-door meeting likely provided an opportunity for frank discussions about the challenges facing the APC and the strategies for navigating the evolving political landscape. While the public pronouncements focused on unity and continuity, the private deliberations likely addressed the underlying tensions and the need to consolidate support within the party. The visit, therefore, can be seen as both a symbolic gesture of respect and a strategic move to manage the political fallout from the recent defections and reinforce the APC’s image of strength and stability.
