‘Kaduna Pilgrimage’: Why Politicians Are Scrambling for Buhari’s Nod Ahead of 2027
- Former President Muhammadu Buhari has emerged as a central figure in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 presidential election
- This is amid strategic visits from both the ruling and opposition camps, even as the plot to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027, thickened
- Analysts say Buhari’s perceived neutrality, combined with his historical 12-million-vote appeal, makes him a strong force whose support could tilt the balance in 2027
TheTalk.NG journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
On Friday, April 11, former President Muhammadu Buhari hosted a strong contingent of opposition leaders at his residence in Kaduna state.
Ganduje led APC NWC to Buhari’s abode in Kaduna recently.
Photo credit: @OfficialAPCNgSource: Twitter
TheTalk.NG reported that the opposition figures who visited Buhari were led by a former vice president and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
In a significant twist, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led by its national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, visited Muhammadu Buhari, at his residence in Kaduna.
However, sources privy to the details of their meeting disclosed that the governors have pleaded with Buhari to stop the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) from dumping the APC for the SDP.
With the 2027 presidential election still two years away, Buhari, is now seen as the new bride on the block as the plot twist in the polity intensified.
These recent visits to Buhari, though often cloaked in courtesy, reveal a deeper power play unfolding behind the scenes.
Buhari’s quiet ‘return to power’
Atiku an other key politicians earlier visited Buhari ahead of 2027.
Photo credit: @BashirAhmaadSource: Twitter
Hitherto seen as detached from post-office politics, Buhari is quietly becoming a political magnet, with various camps seeking his endorsement, goodwill, or at least his neutrality. The recent defection of his close ally, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has only intensified speculation about the former president’s current political leanings.
Thus, amid Atiku’s recent visit, Buhari’s allies in the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) are already rumoured to be plotting an exit from the APC.
It could also be recalled that during the Ramadan season, Seyi Tinubu, the president’s son, paid a courtesy visit to Buhari among other northern political leaders during his controversial tour of the region.
Politics of fear or battle for northern loyalty?
Political commentator Shamsudeen Ibrahim described the Ganduje-led NWC visit to Buhari as driven by “fear—the fear of losing grip, the fear of losing the North, and the fear of a fragmented base. It’s not about brotherhood. It’s about survival.”
He added:
“That the same party now treats Buhari like a shrine of relevance, after publicly distancing from his policies, reveals the short memory of power players. In their quest for political dominance, consistency becomes collateral damage. The Nigerian populace, unfortunately, continues to bear the brunt of these shifting allegiances.”
For both the opposition and especially the ruling party, Ibrahim described the current situation as “a masterclass in political double-speak.
“It’s a reminder that in Nigeria’s political theatre, loyalty is seasonal, perception is paramount, and history is often rewritten on the altar of convenience. In the end, Buhari remains seated—calm, silent and perhaps amused—as the same actors who once blamed him now beg for his blessing,” he added.
Why the opposition needs Buhari
Politicians are scrambling for Buhari’s support ahead of 2027.
Photo credit: @BashirAhmaadSource: Twitter
Also weighing in on the recent spate of visits to Buhari, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Sani, said the Atiku-led coalition needs Buhari in several ways.
“One, they need him to remove the CPC bloc from the APC, which would weaken the APC and confer advantage on some of the opposition parties. Secondly, Buhari is still the most popular politician in the North.”
Sani, who was a media adviser to former Vice President Namadi Sambo, argued that Buhari’s popularity has not waned after his two-term presidency.
“It has not waned significantly to the extent that he has no say in northern politics. He is still very popular with the masses. They still look at him as somebody who is their leader.”
“Most people are trying to co-opt him so that if he speaks to the people and to the sentiments of the people, perhaps they will get an advantage. The ruling party is very much aware of that.”
Buhari’s enduring clout and the myth of the 12 million vote bloc
Additionally, the analyst noted that the APC is trying to remind Buhari of the sacrifices made for him to become president in 2015 and 2019.
According to the analyst, while emissaries had long been visiting him in Daura, Buhari’s relocation to Kaduna, closer to the federal capital,signals that he may be ready to return to active political engagement.
“This is the first time the North is having a former military leader who has also proven himself democratically by winning a presidential election twice,” he said.
He recalled that with the exception of the 2007 election, when Buhari lost to the late Umar Musa Yar’Adua, a fellow northerner, he had consistently secured at least 12 million votes in previous contests.
“Now, most people believe that with Buhari, at least, northern votes are secured. Now that his popularity has refused to wane, most people will now shift to Buhari. And anybody that Buhari embraces in 2027 should be confident of having quite a significant number of votes in the North,” Sani said.
2027 endgame: Who will Buhari back?
Analyst share their takes on who Buhari will eventually vote for in 2027 elections.
Photo credit: @BashirAhmaadSource: Twitter
Also speaking on the development, Dr Saidu Dukawa, a public affairs analyst, added that the visits serve as a public display that preparations for the 2027 elections are in full swing, and are aimed at appealing to the sentiments of those who remain loyal to the former president.
He said:
“In time, similar visits are likely to be paid to former presidents Obasanjo and Jonathan to achieve the same objectives.”
Also commenting, Dr Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, said the development is intriguing because former President Buhari has not shown that he can be relied upon to lead a political movement in which he is not the direct beneficiary.
“Buhari remains popular with a section of the northern masses. If he openly supports the opposition, it will pose a major problem for Tinubu. The issue, however, is that his extremely self-serving politics may not allow him to clearly back either Tinubu or the opposition,” he said.
Read more about 2027 election, Buhari, others here:
2027 presidency: Why Tinubu may dump VP Shettima
Previously, TheTalk.NG reported that Dare Glintstone Akinniyi had warned President Bola Tinubu against replacing VP Kashim Shettima, insisting that speculations about his strategic move could not be dismissed.
Speaking exclusively with TheTalk.NG on Sunday, the PDP Youth spokesperson predicted a fresh crisis within the ruling APC.
While the APC has denied Shettima’s replacement plot, Akinniyi explained what President Tinubu should do ahead of the 2027 elections.
Source: TheTalk.NG
