Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Dr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, has dismissed claims by Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura’s group that the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc within the All Progressives Congress (APC) has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 elections and ruled out defection.
Speaking through his media aide, Muhammed Bello Doka, Malami said the CPC bloc — originally the political platform of former President Muhammadu Buhari — remains the only body capable of determining its political direction, not individuals seeking political relevance.
“When you say CPC bloc, one needs to know who they are referring to. Is it the likes of Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, Adamu Adamu, Masari, and Faruku Adamu Aliyu who, a few months ago, had been throwing Buhari under the bus in desperate attempts to gain relevance that should decide for the bloc?” Malami queried.
He described the recent endorsement of Tinubu by the group as a personal move and not reflective of the CPC bloc’s collective stance. “It’s a calculated attempt to regain relevance in the APC for personal benefits,” he added.
Responding to rumours of his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Malami firmly denied the claims, labeling them as baseless fabrications. “Malami is a prominent figure in Nigeria, therefore, cannot defect to any party in secret,” his aide said.
Doka clarified that Malami remains a member of the APC and is currently engaged in wide-ranging consultations. “Until those consultations are concluded, it is premature to talk about defection or any declaration of interest,” he stated.
He emphasized that Malami remains active in politics and retains the right to contest any position in Kebbi State when the time comes.
The controversy stems from a recent communique signed by Al-Makura, former Katsina governor Bello Masari, ex-Education Minister Adamu Adamu, and about 20 others. The group affirmed their loyalty to President Tinubu and described reports of defection among CPC stakeholders as “false and misleading.”
The communique stated: “We, the undersigned leaders and committed members of the former CPC… issue this statement to clarify our unalloyed loyalty to our great party and express firm solidarity with the administration of President Bola Tinubu.”
However, tensions within the CPC bloc have surfaced in recent weeks. Notably, during a courtesy visit by APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje to former President Buhari in Kaduna, Buhari reportedly maintained that individuals had the right to join any political party of their choice, signaling neutrality in the ongoing political maneuvering.
