–Lament neglect of CPC bloc by Presidency, APC

The Forum for State Chairmen of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change has distanced itself from the recent visit of a few of its members to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing the move as misleading and unrepresentative of the group.

This is even as they urged the Presidency and All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership to urgently address what they described as the continued neglect of the CPC bloc within the party.

In a statement signed by Kasim Mabo (National Chairman); Sulaiman Oyaremi (National Secretary), the Forum clarified that out of its 37 members, 16 have pledged allegiance to the former Vice President, while 20 remain firmly committed to the APC and the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

According to the statement, opposition leaders, including associates of the ex-VP, had exerted pressure on the Forum, offering promises of financial inducement to lure members away from the governing party.

“We wish to categorically state that 20 members of the group remain committed to the All Progressives Congress. We wish to state clearly that for some time now our Forum has been put under intense pressure, which includes financial gratification by opposition leaders. This accounts for why nine of our members succumbed to their pressure a few months ago and seven others joined them only last week, as it appears they could no longer resist the pressure. As we speak, however, 20 of us remain unwavering, as we have lost one of our members from Borno State.

“This moment, however, calls for reflection, especially by the Presidency and the APC leadership, to urgently address the continued neglect of the CPC bloc, particularly the Forum of State Chairmen who are feeling increasingly alienated. Without fear of sounding immodest, we remain the direct link to the grassroots structures that gave the CPC its national relevance, and we were the Chairmen that worked with President Buhari of blessed memory to achieve the much-touted 12.5 million votes,” the statement reads.

The Forum stated that the visit involving some of its members was nothing more than an attempt to deceive the former Vice President.

They stressed that the gathering lacked genuine political substance and was carefully orchestrated to create a misleading impression of ‘widespread support.’

They equally emphasized that former CPC State Chairmen remain a vital grassroots structure that contributed significantly to the CPC’s national relevance before its merger into the APC.

Reaffirming its loyalty, the Forum 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.

“We remain loyal, patient, but firm in our resolve to demand better patronage, just as we pray that the Almighty God shall continue to guide Mr President and indeed all our leaders,” the statement concluded.

The Guardian reports that members of the defunct CPC — one of the blocs that merged to form the APC in 2013 — have recently raised concerns, accusing the present administration of deliberately sidelining them from major appointments and critical decision-making roles.