The death of former President Muhammadu Buhari has left a gaping void in Nigeria’s political landscape as the All Progressives Congress (APC) struggles to reposition itself ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Buhari, who was buried in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State, on Tuesday, was widely seen as the rallying point of the APC and a key figure in the party’s dominance since 2015.
APC Without Buhari
President Bola Tinubu and his APC allies now face the daunting task of consolidating power without Buhari’s massive northern following.
The late president consistently delivered over 12 million votes across multiple election cycles, a political base Tinubu may struggle to replicate.
APC chieftain and Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Transportation, Daura, Hon. Wahab Owokoniran, admitted the loss of Buhari was a major blow but expressed confidence in Tinubu’s political strategy.
“One thing I can assure you is that Tinubu is a master strategist,” Owokoniran said during a Channels Television broadcast. “Certainly, we are going to lose some, but we will definitely gain some. At the end of the day, it’s going to balance out.”
ADC Coalition threatens APC grip
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has launched a formidable coalition featuring heavyweights like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Peter Obi. The bloc has vowed to wrest power from Tinubu in 2027.
Political analyst Nduka Odo of Peaceland University warned that Buhari’s death could fracture APC’s northern support base. “Buhari was the glue holding various factions together. Now, with Atiku, El-Rufai, and Amaechi in ADC, Tinubu must manage this crisis swiftly or face disaster,” he told Daily Post.
Northern Loyalty in Question
Salihu Lukman, an ADC member and former APC chieftain, argued that Buhari’s absence will force northern politicians to engage voters directly rather than rely on Buhari’s political endorsement.
“Today, there’s no Buhari to raise hands and translate it into victory,” Lukman said. “Politicians must now relate with citizens with humility if they want to win elections.”
Internal APC Tensions
Reports of Vice President Kashim Shettima’s marginalisation within the presidency and speculations about Tinubu’s 2027 running mate have also raised concerns about internal divisions.
“The CPC bloc of APC is fracturing, and northerners who felt Buhari’s government impoverished them are unlikely to reward Tinubu,” Odo said.
He added: “APC risks implosion unless it sustains Buhari’s image as a figurehead to retain the ‘Buharist’ votes.”
FTN
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