Former President Muhammadu Buhari has shut down rumours of his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC), reaffirming his unwavering loyalty to the ruling party.

Buhari, who governed between 2015 and 2023 under the APC platform, said he remains a committed member and will do everything he can to strengthen the party.

The pledge is contained in a statement issued by his former spokesperson, Garba Shehu, on Wednesday, March 13, 2025.

This is happening amid the ongoing political realignment and talks of a coalition to oust President Bola Tinubu‘s government in 2027.

On Monday, March 10, 2025, former Kaduna State Governor Nasiru El-Rufai announced his exit from the ruling party and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

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El-Rufai claimed that his defection from the APC had Buhari’s endorsement, sparking speculations that the former President may soon follow suit.

However, the former President unequivocally declared that he would never abandon the party that gave him the platform to lead Nigeria for two terms.

“I am an APC member, and I like to be addressed as such. I will try to popularise the party by all means,” Buhari said.

Buhari expresses gratitude to APC

While stressing his gratitude, the ex-President said that he considers the opportunity to have served as Nigeria’s leader under the APC as the “highest honour” and does not seek anything more from the party.

“At present, I have nothing but gratitude for the support that the party gave me before and during my tenure as president,” he added.

Buhari also highlighted the “sacrifices made by the founding fathers of the APC,” emphasising that their efforts in “building a strong party to protect democracy and uphold the constitution” must be cherished and sustained.

The former President’s remarks may have temporarily put paid to the rumours of a possible exodus from the APC after El-Rufai’s defection, which he claimed was influenced by “ideological differences and internal crises.”

The former Kaduna Governor’s exit had fuelled speculations about an implosion within the ruling party and Buhari’s stance as stakeholders realigned ahead of 2027.

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Though Buhari didn’t directly mention El-Rufai, his allegiance to the party sends a strong message amid the ongoing shift among opposition politicians.

It also reflected his steadfastness with the party despite defections by some of his former associates.

“Without referring to any individual, a cast of characters, or issues, principles and ideals currently being discussed by party leaders at various levels, the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, has reiterated what he said times without number that he is a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC and would like to be addressed as a loyal member of the party.

“He says he wants to leave no one in doubt that he would never turn his back to the party that gave him two terms of office and would do whatever he can to popularise it,” the statement concluded.

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has once again extended an olive branch to Martins Amaewhule-led State House of Assembly members, pleading that he needed peace to govern the state effectively.

Fubara made the call on Thursday, March 13, 2025, during the commissioning of some projects in the Okrika Local Government Area of the state.

He urged the lawmakers, believed to be loyalists of his predecessor and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to consider the interest of the people of the oil-rich state and embrace peace to resolve the ongoing political feud.

“It is important at this stage that we all embrace peace,” he stated.

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The Governor called on all aggrieved political actors in the South-South state to put all that had happened behind them and commit to fully implementing the recent Supreme Court ruling.

Fubara leaves the door open for reconciliation

Recall that the apex court handed down a raft of decisions on Friday, February 28, 2025, giving victory to the pro-Wike lawmakers.

Meanwhile, Fubara said he has no other option than to abide by the ruling, adding that the implementation process is already in gear.

“The Supreme Court has made its judgment, and we don’t have any option but to abide by it. By the special grace of God, we have started the process.

“We are appealing to other parties to consider the interest of Rivers State. The only thing that we owe this state is peace and development.

“I am open any day, any time for total peace in our state because if I have to govern well, there is the need for peace,” the governor said.

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The protracted feed between Fubara and the Amaewhule-led House isn’t showing any sign of abating soon as the Governor was locked out of the Assembly Quarters on Wednesday.

He had gone there to re-present the state’s 2025 Budget, as mandated by the House and in compliance with the Supreme Court verdict.

Though the Governor claimed that he had communicated his visit to the Speaker in advance, the Assembly said it received no correspondence to that effect.

On Wednesday, the Edo House of Assembly’s majority leader, Donald Okugbe (PDP—Akoko-Edo II), and three other lawmakers defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The other lawmakers are Bright Iyamu (PDP – Orhionmwon South II), Richard Edosa (PDP – Oredo West), and Sunday Ojezele (LP – Esan South East).

By the defection, APC now has 13 members in the House while PDP members have 11.

The lawmakers, received at the APC Secretariat in Beni by the Acting State Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, cited deep divisions and unresolved crises within their former parties as reasons for their defection.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Edosa described the move as a “defining moment”.

He said they believed in Monday OOkpebholo’s vision and were committed to working with him to advance the state’s development.

Welcoming them into the party, Tenebe said their decision to join APC was a bold step toward a better future for Edo State.

He said they would enjoy equal rights and privileges like every other member.

The APC chairman praised their courage and noted that their defection strengthened the party’s collective resolve to improve the state’s governance, security, and economic development.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was capped with a symbolic handing over of APC brooms to the defecting lawmakers, marking their official entry into the ruling party.