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By Myke Agunwa
Forum of State Chairmen of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has pledged its support for the re-election project of President Bola Tinubu and reiterated its loyalty to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The CPC bloc was factionalized lately with one faction led by former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN) tilting it’s support to the coalition that will challenge Tinubu while another faction led by former Nasarawa State governor, Tanko Al’Makura is supporting Tinubu’s second tenure .
However, it was learnt that former President Muhammad Buhari, leader of CPC advised members to support whom ever they wish but unequivocally stated that he will remain in APC and support Tinubu.
In a statement on Sunday, signed by the Forum’s National Secretary, Sulaiman Oyaremi, the group expressed its belief that supporting President Tinubu’s leadership and working towards a more inclusive APC is both a duty and a necessity.
“We believe that we owe ourselves a duty to support the current leader of the party, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and contribute to the transformation of APC into an inclusive institution where all stakeholders would have a sense of belonging and ownership,” the statement said.
Oyaremi, however, acknowledged internal tensions, lamenting the fragmentation within the CPC bloc and what the Forum perceives as inadequate recognition and reward for its members’ past contributions.
“Unfortunately, with several camps speaking for the defunct CPC, the situation has exposed a lack of coherent leadership within the bloc. We are further concerned that this development signposts a lack of inclusiveness in the leadership of APC and the government it birthed,” he noted.
He added that despite the active roles played by CPC state chairmen in the electoral victories of the APC, many of them have been sidelined in appointments and party structures at both the national and state levels.
The Forum nonetheless affirmed the right of individuals to remain within or exit the party, describing such moves as a legitimate democratic choice.
“Against the conflicting statements concerning the position of the CPC bloc within the APC, we believe that those who chose to either leave or remain in APC have merely exercised their democratic rights,” the Forum said.
Oyaremi concluded by stressing that, aside from a few exceptions, the majority of the Forum members have resolved to remain in the APC, standing firmly with former President Muhammadu Buhari.