Tension is mounting among users of CBEX, a popular cryptocurrency and forex trading platform, following reports that the company has emptied the accounts of hundreds of investors without prior notice.

Naija News reports that the platform, which had gained widespread attention due to its high-yield investment packages and aggressive online marketing, is now facing serious allegations of investment fraud.

Multiple users have come forward, revealing that they discovered their account balances wiped out when they logged into the CBEX platform over the weekend. The affected users, some of whom had invested amounts ranging from ₦200,000 to over ₦5 million, have expressed devastation, with many finding themselves financially stranded.

Kunle Adewola, a tech expert, shared his shock with the Nigerian Tribune, stating, “I thought it was a glitch at first. But when I tried to withdraw and got an error message, I knew something was wrong. My entire savings is gone.”

The incident comes just hours before the scheduled withdrawal date of April 15, which CBEX had promised investors after suspending all withdrawals on April 11. This has added to the frustration of many who had hoped to retrieve their investments by that date.

The platform’s sudden and unexplained action has left users in a state of disbelief, as there was no prior communication from CBEX administrators explaining the situation or offering any recourse.

With the company’s credibility now in question, the ongoing developments have raised concerns about the safety of cryptocurrency and forex investments, leaving many users wondering if they will ever recover their funds.

Meanwhile, some angry Nigerians have looted the office of the CBEX platform in Oke Ado, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Trending videos show angry investors looting televisions, Air Conditions and many other items from the office.

Reactions have flooded social media platform X (formerly Twitter), with users sharing complaints, screenshots, and rallying around hashtags like #CBEXScam and #JusticeForCBEXInvestors.

Twitter user @DaddyGO4825 wrote,
“Cbex finally crashed. Check your account AI trade all. Millions of money gone ??? This is so sad. Sorry for the lose.”

Another user, @purity_gifts, tweeted,
“Let me go and take antibiotics to cure this #CBEX scam headache… My dream car will have to wait.”

@the_cruisetv commented,
“If you know anyone doing CBEX please hold them tight ? they are going through a lot rn ???? Where’s that Aunty 15th of April? ?”

User @r2kizzmusic shared,
“So I was invited to CBEX all in the name of making enough money to push my unreleased song Alhamdullilah which I have been begging @Zlatan_Ibile for a verse only to wake up today and discover that all my $4000 dollars is gone ??????? at this point I am lost.”

Another user, @Omo_Harkin1, tweeted,
“AI don lost all of una trade ?? They don lie on top AI head. Congratulations to all of una o.”

And @Fresh_Thiago urged,
“If you have any of your friends or family members wey run CBEX try check on them now ASAPU #CBEX.

@Nichola0081 said: “Nigerians! Invest in $GODL?? Hell NO!! CBEX? Sure sure ? Have you seen any AI trading without a loss?? Always green green green?? What happened to 15th kee??”

The factional leader of the Labour Party (LP) Lamidi Apapa, has insisted that Julius Abure and his supporters, including 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, must relinquish control of the party.

Apapa, who made a return last week after a two-year absence, affirmed his position as the legitimate acting National Chairman of the Labour Party. This comes after a recent Supreme Court ruling that overturned the Court of Appeal’s recognition of Abure.

In an interview with The PUNCH, Apapa emphasized that the apex court’s decision is consistent with prior judgments that restrained Abure, further solidifying his claim to leadership under the party’s constitution.

He stated, “If the chairman cannot function, the deputy steps in. That’s what Article 14 (2) A and B of our constitution says.”

Apapa maintained that his actions were not motivated by personal ambition but were driven by the need to address the ongoing crisis within the party. “The party is in crisis and someone has to take the wheel. I’ve acted within the constitution,” he explained.

He also rejected the Nenadi Usman-led caretaker committee, which has gained prominence within the party, claiming it lacks constitutional legitimacy.

Apapa addressed concerns about his prolonged absence from public view, admitting that the extensive litigation over the past two years had taken a toll on him.

“I needed to take a break. Going from one court to another over the past two years was draining. But the Supreme Court judgment has made it necessary for me to return,” he shared.

However, the Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has strongly opposed Apapa’s claims.

National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh dismissed Apapa’s assertions, accusing him of being used by external forces to destabilize the party.

“He is likely being sponsored by the Nenadi Usman camp, perhaps even Peter Obi and Governor Otti. One of their people visited him two months ago and gave him money while he was ill,” Ifoh alleged.

Ifoh further questioned the legitimacy of Apapa’s return, arguing that the Labour Party had not issued any official statement regarding his re-emergence, as his position is not recognized within the party.

“How can we sponsor such a person? His actions are simply a payback for the financial support he received. We don’t take him seriously,” he stated.

Efforts to contact the Nenadi Usman Caretaker Committee for comments were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

In Cross River State, the Labour Party’s Interim Committee has initiated reconciliation efforts, expressing loyalty to the Nenadi Usman-led leadership.

A statement issued Sunday by the state’s Publicity Secretary, Amawu Cletus, hailed the Supreme Court’s April 4 judgment as a victory for both the rule of law and party constitutionalism.

“The Supreme Court has spoken, and the matter is settled. The impunity led by Julius Abure has been firmly rejected,” the statement read.

The Cross River chapter also criticized the post-judgment response from the Abure camp, calling it reckless, and pledged to collaborate with the national body to rebuild the party from the grassroots level.

“This is a new dawn for the Labour Party. We are setting the foundation for credible congresses at all levels and restoring internal democracy,” Cletus concluded.

Popular Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, famously known as Portable, has been remanded at the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin, Kwara State, after failing to meet the strict bail conditions set by an Upper Area Court.

Portable, who appeared in court on charges of defamation of character, was granted bail on Monday in the sum of ₦1 million.

However, the court ruled that his release was contingent upon providing two sureties in like sum.

According to the court's directive, one of the sureties must be either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), while the other must be a property owner within a Government Reserved Area (GRA) in Ilorin, supported by a valid Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).

Despite being granted bail, the "Zazoo Zeh" crooner could not immediately fulfil the conditions.

The case, documented under First Information Report (FIR) 117(1) CPC, was filed by the State Intelligence Department of the Nigeria police following a petition dated March 21, 2025, by fellow artist Okunola Saheed Osupa, aka Osupa.

According to the petition, on March 19, 2025, Portable made a live broadcast on Instagram, where he allegedly defamed Osupa, claiming the complainant was envious of his success and attempting to destroy his reputation.

In the video, Portable was quoted to have said: “This man dey try bring down my shine! He be like person wey dey chop snail with shell—him no get sense. Osupa na tortoise. When Apple Music and Spotify wan drop money for me, na him remove my song from platform make I no see money (This man is trying to dim my shine! He behaves like someone eating a snail with the shell—he lacks sense. Osupa is like a tortoise. When Apple Music and Spotify were about to pay me, he took down my song from the platforms so I wouldn’t get the money).”

In his statement, the complainant, Osupa, maintained that Portable’s remarks were not only defamatory and damaging but also intended to incite public hatred and disturb the peace.

Upon interrogation at the State Intelligence Department (SID), Ilorin, Portable reportedly confessed to the allegations, police said.

The accused was arraigned under several legal provisions: Section 392 (Criminal Defamation), Section 114 (Inciting Disturbance), Section 397 (Criminal Intimidation) of the Penal Code.

Section 24(1)(b) and 24(2)(c) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, Sections 10 and 13 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2020.

The Investigating Police Officer, ASP Adeniyi James, confirmed that Portable was charged based on a directive from the police authorities.

Portable, a native of Oke-Osa in Sango-Ota, Ogun State, is expected to fulfil his bail conditions before being released. The case has been adjourned, and the presiding judge has urged all parties to maintain decorum as proceedings continue.

Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olisa Agbakoba, has proposed an ambitious 500 trillion naira national budget target for Nigeria by 2027, urging the federal government to adopt a “disruptive development plan” to achieve it.

Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS following the release of his policy report, Governance and Economic Analysis and Forecast 2025, Agbakoba said the goal may seem unrealistic but is achievable if Nigeria abandons “business as usual.”

“We’ve had national development plans for the last 60 or 70 years, and I suggest to you that none have really worked,” he said. 

“What I’m suggesting in order to drive this process is an entirely disruptive development plan.”

Agbakoba emphasized that the issue is not Nigeria’s lack of resources but how they are utilized.

He called for structural reforms in both political and economic governance, beginning with a downsizing of the federal government.

“There’s no way Nigeria can be successful unless it decapitates its current political arrangements,” he said.

“The federal government must downsize. If America runs with 16 departments, Nigeria shouldn’t have more than 10.”

He also advocated for the devolution of power to state and local governments, turning them into “economic-bearing entities.”

On economic reforms, Agbakoba criticized the current structure of Nigeria’s oil sector, stating, “Nigeria is one of the few countries in the world that outsources its oil capacity to international oil companies.

We have to own everything so that 80 to 90 percent of the wealth generated from oil stays here. Right now, nothing stays, less than 10 percent.”

Highlighting the recent performance of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) under Zacch Adedeji, Agbakoba noted that reforms can yield results.

“When we were talking about a 9 trillion naira economy, people said it wasn’t possible. But with Zacch Adedeji’s reforms, we’ve moved from 9 trillion to 50 trillion, and we’re headed for 100 trillion.”

Concluding, Agbakoba maintained that Nigeria’s economic transformation is possible with bold, unconventional changes.

“It is possible. It’s just a way to get things done in a different way,” he said.

A Chief Magistrate in the Rivers State Judiciary, Ejike George, has tendered his resignation from service, citing unease over the appointment of a Sole Administrator to oversee the affairs of the state.

George, who disclosed that he has put in sixteen years in the judiciary, already said the appointment of a sole administrator is tantamount to a ‘quasi-military administration’.

George’s resignation was contained in a letter dated April 11, 2025, and addressed to the Honourable Chief Judge of Rivers State through the Secretary of the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission.

The letter was titled ‘Voluntary Retirement From Service’.

George expressed dismay over the direction of the governance of the state, which he said is “alien” and “antithetical” to the values of the legal profession.

The statement reads, “This present is intended to convey my decision to voluntarily retire my appointment as Magistrate of the Judiciary of Rivers State.

“This difficult and regrettable decision is informed largely by my discomfort with the recent appointment of a quasi-military administration to run the affairs of a modern state like ours.

“Milord will agree with me that this type of governance system is not only alien but also runs antithetical to our hallowed profession as legal practitioners and adjudicators.

“Having put in a whopping 16 (sixteen) out of my 22 (twenty-two) years of legal practice into this Judiciary as Magistrate under successive democratic administrations, I find it difficult to work with the current setting, as doing so would amount to a tacit and naive acquiescence.

“Thanks Milord, for the opportunity to serve.”

Nollywood Actor, Sylvester Madu, has addressed the stereotypes around the use of second-hand items popularly known as Okrika.

The actor in a now-viral video shared on Saturday via his Instagram said 80% of Nigerians use okrika.

He said, “They keep talking about Okrika like saying one thing will be forgotten. 80% of Nigerians, they use Okrika. The cars that we drive now, Okrika.

“Some of you people, your TVs in your house is Okrika. Or you think it’s only clothes that is Okrika? You know eh, I honestly don’t know why people would not just let the sleeping dog lie. They just like to touch the tiger’s tail.”

Speaking on the business angle of Okrika, Madu cleared the business as a legal business that anyone can venture into.

“And Okrika no be bad business. So don’t get me wrong, like I’m condemning it like you guys heard in the interview, like see, I did deny.”

Watch video below

Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka blasted the National Broadcasting Commission for banning Eedris Abdulkareem’s song against President Bola Tinubu’s government.

Soyinka describes the development as a return to the culture of censorship and a threat to the right to free expression.

In a statement released on Sunday, the literati highlighted past attempts to stifle artistic and socio-political commentary in Nigeria.

“Courtesy of an artist operating in a different genre — the cartoon — who sent me his recent graphic comment on the event, I learnt recently of a return to the culture of censorship with the banning of the product of a music artist, Eedris Abdulkareem,” Soyinka said in the piece posted on PM news.

With a touch of irony, Soyinka suggested that the ban did not go far enough. He remarked, “It is not only the allegedly offensive record that should be banned — the musician himself should be proscribed. Next, PMAN, or whatever musical association of which Abdulkareem is a member, should also go under the hammer.” 

Soyinka said even though he hadn’t listened to the song, he emphasised that the issue transcends content and concerns a fundamental democratic principle.

“It cannot be flouted. That, surely is basic. This is why I feel that we should look on the bright side of any picture and thus recommend the Aleshinloye cartoon — and others in allied vein — as an easy-to-apprehend, easy-to-digest summation of the wisdom of attempting to stifle unpalatable works of art or socio-political commentary,” he said.

He also pointed out the irony that censorship often benefits the targeted artist, noting that “Abdulkareem must be currently warbling his merry way all the way to the bank.”

He maintained that such censorship is counterproductive and dangerous to democratic development.

“We have been through this before, over and over again, ad nauseum. We know where it all ends. It is boring, time-wasting, diversionary but most essential of all, subversive of all seizures of the fundamental right of free expression,” the literary icon said.

Billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Femi Otedola, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Nigerian football legend, Christian Chukwu, describing the news as a “rude shock.”

In a heartfelt tribute shared on his official Facebook page on Sunday, Otedola praised Chukwu’s immense contribution to Nigerian football and his enduring legacy as both captain and coach of the Super Eagles.

“As one of Nigeria’s patriots, Christian Chukwu creatively used the game of football as a unifying force for us as individuals and the nation in general,” Otedola said. “His footballing career as the captain and subsequently coach of the national team remains legendary and fully etched in the annals of our national history.”

Chukwu, who passed away recently, was not only remembered for his brilliance on the pitch but also for his leadership and dedication to the sport. His influence helped shape Nigerian football during its formative years.

Otedola also recalled his personal involvement in supporting Chukwu during a critical moment in 2019 when the football icon was diagnosed with prostate cancer that affected his legs. Otedola funded Chukwu’s medical treatment in the United Kingdom, which he said gave the coach “a new lease of life.”

“My condolences go out to his entire family and to his fans all over the world. May you all find comfort during this difficult time,” he wrote. “May his soul rest in peace.”

Femi Otedola is the Executive Chairman of Geregu Power Plc and a renowned philanthropist, known for his interventions in health, education, and sports.

Christian Chukwu’s death has continued to elicit tributes from across the sporting world, as former teammates, fans, and public figures mourn a man widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s greatest football icons.

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas “to immediately withdraw the repressive bill for an act to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, which seeks to regulate the activities of bloggers operating within the ‘territorial boundaries of Nigeria.’”

SERAP urged Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas “to ensure that any amendment to the Nigeria Data Protection Act promotes and protects the rights of bloggers and other journalists and does not undermine the fundamental human rights of Nigerians.”

SERAP also urged Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas “to end the imposition of unnecessary restrictions on the rights of Nigerians online and Internet-based content.”

There is currently a bill titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, to Mandate the Establishment of Physical Offices within the Territorial Boundaries of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by Social Media Platforms and for Related Matters” (the “bill”).

The bill among others seeks to regulate bloggers including by requiring all bloggers to register local offices and join recognised national association for bloggers. The bill has passed its first and second reading in the Senate.

In the letter dated 12 April 2025 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “This bill is a blatant attempt to bring back and fast-track the obnoxious and widely rejected social media bill by the back-door.” 

SERAP said, “If passed, the bill would also be used to ban major social media platforms—including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok, and independent bloggers if they ‘continuously fail to establish/register and maintain physical offices in Nigeria for a period of 30 days.’”

The letter, read in part: “Lawmakers should not become arbiters of truth in the public and political domain. Regulating the activities of bloggers and forcing them to associate would have a significant chilling effect on freedom of expression and lead to censorship or restraint.”

“The bill may also be used to block access of Nigerians to social media platforms. Blocking access to social media platforms is a flagrant violation of fundamental rights.”

“In addition to infringing on Nigerians’ right to access to information and digital technology, the proposed bill would also severely hamper business operations in the country, as many are reliant on foreign tools, services and technologies for their operations, as well as other sectors that rely on online information.”

“The bill would force international tech companies out of the Nigerian information landscape by requiring them to establish/register and maintain physical offices in the country. It would violate the requirement that the right to freedom of expression applies ‘regardless of frontiers.’”

“Should the National Assembly and its leadership fail to withdraw the bill to regulate the activities of bloggers, and should any such bill be assented to by President Bola Tinubu, SERAP would consider appropriate legal action to challenge the legality of any such law and ensure it is never implemented in the public interest.”

“The regulation of bloggers may be used to muzzle any dissenting voice and to silence any form of criticism or negative opinion on the policies and practices of the ruling party or the Government.”

“Authorities may also use the proposed regulation as a pretext to punish bloggers solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights.”

“The bill seems to be directed at bloggers living in Nigeria and elsewhere, with severe adverse effects on the freedom of expression of a very wide range of individuals.”

“The proposed amendment to the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 fails to meet the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and international human rights treaties to which the country is a state party.”

“The amendment, if passed would adversely affect unregistered bloggers operating ‘within the territorial boundaries of Nigeria.’”

“The proposed amendment may also be used to violate the rights to privacy, freedom of peaceful assembly and of association as protected by the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and international human rights standards.”

“The proposed amendment is entirely inconsistent and incompatible with Nigeria’s obligations to respect and ensure the effective realisation of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. The amendment would disproportionality suppress a wide range of expressive conduct essential to a democratic society.”

“The bill would pose major barriers and threats to any individuals, especially journalists, human rights defenders and civil society organisations who may be critical of the government, as well as stifle democracy and media freedom.”

“Mandatory regulation of journalism is incompatible with the right to freedom of expression. There is no legitimate reason why bloggers – or in fact members of the general public – should be subject to mandatory regulation or licensing to express themselves.”

“Blogging plays an invaluable role in the free flow of information. Bloggers should never be required to register with the government or other official agencies to blog.”

“The bill may also be used as a pretext to force bloggers to disclose their sources. The right to protect sources is a cornerstone of freedom of the press, without which sources may be deterred from assisting the press in informing the public on matters of public interest.”

“The Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties which the country has ratified protect protects everyone’s right [including bloggers] to maintain an opinion without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers and through any media.”

“Nigerian authorities including the National Assembly have legal obligations to ensure an environment in which a diverse range of opinions and ideas can be freely and openly expressed and debated.”

“The requirement of necessity implies an assessment of the proportionality of restrictions, with the aim of ensuring that restrictions target a specific objective and do not unduly intrude upon the rights of targeted persons.”

“As noted in the 2005 Joint Declaration of the special rapporteurs on freedom of expression, ‘[n]o one should be required to register with or obtain permission from any public body to operate an Internet service provider, website, blog or other online information dissemination system, including Internet broadcasting.’”

“In their 2011 Joint Declaration on Freedom of Expression and the Internet, the four special mandates for the protection of freedom of expression highlighted that regulatory approaches in the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors cannot simply be transferred to the Internet.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governors are actively working to prevent former President Muhammadu Buhari and his loyalists from aligning with opposition figures.

Sources within the APC who spoke with Punch have revealed that recent visits to Buhari’s residence in Kaduna were motivated by growing concerns over his perceived stance on the party’s direction.

Naija News reports that an insider at the APC National Secretariat disclosed that the visits by the APC National Working Committee (NWC) and the party’s governors were not merely ceremonial, as initially claimed.

Although officially framed as a Sallah visit, the true purpose of the trip was to address rising concerns that Buhari’s “body language” was signaling a potential shift away from the party and towards opposition factions.

A source said, “The leaders are concerned that the ex-president has withdrawn and shown limited support for the current government. They observed that opposition figures have taken advantage of Buhari’s openness to create the impression that his spirit and body language are no longer with the APC. That is why the NWC had to visit him to show that he still belongs to the APC and ward off any negative impression among party members, especially from his followers in the North.

“Importantly, the party acknowledges that the North is uncomfortable with President Bola Tinubu’s administration and is clearly planning not to support his second term. The APC leadership decided to dissuade the former president from making himself available to opposition figures who have been visiting him.”

The insider told Punch that the APC leadership had taken “Buhari’s body language more seriously,” noting that they could not afford to let the opposition “hijack” him from them.

He said, “The party leaders have realised that there is fire on the mountain, and they have begun to move closer to Buhari than before. The body language of the former president clearly shows that his spirit is no longer with the APC. They are now taking his actions and inactions more seriously. The leaders are trying to ensure that the APC doesn’t lose Buhari and his followers to the strategic moves of the likes of Atiku.”

Buhari’s Residence Becomes Hub Of Political Activity Amid Defections To SDP

Former President Muhammadu Buhari’s residence in Kaduna has become a focal point of political discussions and meetings since the Eid-il-Fitr celebrations, especially after reports emerged that key figures from the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc within the APC and former ministers under his administration were planning to defect to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The defection of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, to the SDP on March 15, 2025, signaled the growing discontent within the ranks of Buhari’s loyalists.

El-Rufai cited a misalignment between his personal values and the current direction of the APC as the reason for his departure. A vocal critic of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, El-Rufai revealed that he had sought Buhari’s approval before making the move.

Other prominent Buhari loyalists, including former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu and former Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, have also been reported to be considering defections, fueling speculation about a shift in allegiances within the party.

In response to the growing defections, APC governors visited Buhari on April 7, 2025, for a closed-door meeting. Sources say the governors pleaded with Buhari to intervene and stop further defections, assuring him that the party would address the concerns of his loyalists.

However, just days later, on April 11, opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), visited Buhari at his residence.

Atiku, speaking to journalists after the visit, clarified that the meeting was a courtesy visit for Sallah greetings, denying any connection to opposition coalition talks.

“We came here on courtesy and Sallah greetings visit to President Muhammadu Buhari,” Atiku said. When asked about the possibility of forming a major opposition party, Atiku confirmed that discussions were ongoing but emphasized that the visit was not related to coalition-building efforts.

“There is a plan for the major political parties to come together and form a strong opposition, but it is not part of this visit,” he stated.

El-Rufai also downplayed any political undertones of the visit, advising “adversaries” not to lose sleep over it. Despite these reassurances, the visit stirred political speculation, with many wondering about its long-term impact on Buhari’s alignment.

APC NWC Responds To Opposition Leaders’ Visit

In a quick response, the APC National Working Committee (NWC), led by party Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, arrived at Buhari’s residence just hours after the opposition leaders left. Ganduje dismissed concerns about the opposition leaders’ visit, describing it as an attempt to “repeat history.”

He said, “What they are trying to build is not viable. Some particles simply cannot come together. We are not worried at all.”

Ganduje explained that the APC delegation’s purpose was to update Buhari on the party’s progress since his exit from office and to reaffirm their commitment to upholding his legacy.

“We came to brief him on our progress and to reaffirm our commitment to his legacy,” Ganduje added.

While all political figures involved in the visits downplayed the political significance, the gatherings underscore the ongoing efforts by both the ruling APC and opposition leaders to secure Buhari’s support.

His influence in the North remains a powerful asset, with many seeing it as critical to any party’s success in future elections.

Despite the growing political tensions, Buhari has maintained that he remains loyal to the APC, stating that he will always be grateful to the party for providing him with the platform to serve as a two-term president.

“I remain with the APC, and I will forever appreciate the party for giving me the opportunity to serve as president for two terms,” Buhari reaffirmed.

Visitations About 2027 Elections

Sources close to former president Atiku told Sunday PUNCH that the visits were related to the 2027 general elections.

“It’s all about the 2027 general election, particularly the presidency. The visit was geared towards coalition building, not a merger,” one of the sources said.

Another source added, “The visit is to poach Buhari’s loyalists from the APC bloc. These are forces to reckon with since Tinubu has abandoned them, and they know that Buhari cannot help anyone in the 2027 elections. The only option is for Atiku to poach loyalists of the former president from the CPC bloc.”

Atiku had on March 20 announced the formation of a Coalition of Opposition Political Parties to oust President Tinubu in 2027, amid growing resentment against the president in the North.

“Many northerners are unhappy with the current government, except those in the government. A lot is being done to remove Tinubu in 2027,” a political leader in Kaduna State said.

Punch gathered that Atiku and other northerners were intensifying efforts to gain Buhari’s support through his loyalists in the former CPC, now part of the APC.

Why APC, Anti-Tinubu Politicians Want Buhari’s Support – Associate

But Mohammed Lawal, a long-time political associate of Buhari, said the ex-president could not stop his loyalists from leaving the APC if they wanted to.

Lawal, who was the deputy director of the Buhari Presidential Campaign Council in 2015, noted that although Buhari had declared his position not to leave the APC, he would respect his loyalists’ decisions.

He said, “The party (APC) gave him the chance to be president for two terms, so separating him from that party is not going to be easy; but there is a limit to which he can force his loyalists to work for the APC.

“For example, if President Buhari decides to support the coalition, I’m sure you will see that in the 90 per cent of his people that are in the coalition, and what is he going to do? Is it to fight against the 90 per cent? So, that is what you are seeing now; everybody is struggling to reach him.

“But there is a limit to what he can do and if 80 or 90 per cent of his people decide to leave, he has to decide.”

Lawal, however, queried the appointments of President Tinubu and the economic hardship in the country.

He said, “It has never been done the way it is (being) done; every administration that has come use to incline a little bit towards its own people either being ethnicity, religion, but this one actually it’s too much according to what you are hearing and what you are seeing within the country.”

On Buhari’s relevance, the associate said, “Buhari is still a big interest within the political circle in the North; how many former heads of states do we have that went through the political rigmarole to become president in the North? I don’t think there is anyone behind Buhari now. Babangida was Head of State with his military background, so also General Abudulsallam; Shagari is gone. So naturally, politicians in the North, even those that are outside APC will look towards Buhari for political direction and advice, so do not be surprised if you see Buhari’s residence in Kaduna being turned into a political Mecca of some sort. I’m not surprised; Buhari is going to continue to be more relevant, especially as 2027 is going to be very tough politically for this country.”

Lawal also noted that opposition figures sought Buhari’s support far ahead because they recognized his electoral value.

He said the ex-president would take the right decision no matter what anyone said about him.