Amid talks of coalition by opposition politicians and aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, bloc of the have declared their loyalty to President Bola Tinubu.
CPC members are core loyalists of former president, Muhammadu Buhari.
Former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, had recently defected to the Social Democratic Party, (SDP), fueling more speculations of mass exodus from the ruling party.
However, the CPC members have now dismissed reports of a possible defection from the APC, stressing that such a claim was mischievous.
They disclosed this in a statement signed by U.T Al-Makura and Osita Okechukwu on behalf of the CPC bloc in the APC after their meeting.
The group said, "We, as representatives of committed members of the former Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), who were part of those instrumental in the historic merger that gave birth to the All Progressives Congress (APC), hereby issue this statement to clarify our unalloyed loyalty to our great party and express firm solidarity with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
"Recent misleading narratives suggesting a defection or disaffection among CPC stakeholders are mischievous and should be ignored.
"We remain integral to the APC and are fully aligned with its leadership and vision.
"Our position is as follows: We wish to state categorically that we have neither left the APC nor do we intend to leave. The CPC bloc remains one of the legacy foundations of the APC, and we are resolute in our commitment to the party and its progressive ideals.
"As part of the legacy parties that formed the APC, we take pride in the sacrifices made to build a platform that promotes national unity, justice, and development.
"We will not allow some people to dismantle the party we helped to build through years of tireless work and dedication.
"Though challenging, these policies are necessary steps to rebuild our economy and secure a better future for all Nigerians.
"We urge patience and collective support as the benefits unfold.While we acknowledge that some party members may feel sidelined, we emphasize that such grievances are not exclusive to any one bloc.
"We advise those concerned to seek redress through constitutional channels within the party and not to resort to negative public agitation or hasty exits from the party.
"At this critical point in Nigeria’s democratic journey, it is imperative for all APC members— especially those with deep roots in the party’s formation—to work together to preserve its legacy and help consolidate Nigeria’s democracy.
"We must avoid actions that erode our unity and the stability of the nation.We call on the leadership of the APC to scale up engagement with members across all levels.
"Strengthening internal communication will reduce tension, foster inclusiveness, and enhance support for the party’s programs.
"Party unity must be nurtured continuously in order to sustain the gains and to secure the future.We therefore reaffirm our loyalty to the APC and our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The CPC family remains a vital pillar of the APC and will continue to play a responsible role in its growth and in the progress of Nigeria."