Buhari Men Are Leaving Tinubu and Switching To ADC

What inside sources are telling me from the Aso Rock presidential villa in Abuja is pretty sensational. It's a known fact that there are three strong voting blocs in Nigeria, namely; the APC/Buhari/Tinubu bloc, the PDP/Atiku bloc and the Obidient bloc. Surprisingly, two-thirds of the voting bloc have been swallowed by the new bride in town, the ADC; thus leaving just a half bloc for PDP and APC/Tinubu, respectively. This situation is said to be very troubling to the President's handlers.

The Rift Within: Tinubu and the Buhari Camp on Opposite Sides

The signs are now obvious. There’s a growing unease within Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The fragile relationship between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and key loyalists of former President Muhammadu Buhari has fractured — perhaps beyond repair.

From ex-ministers and northern political heavyweights to former governors who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Buhari during his eight years in power, many are now not-so-quietly distancing themselves from Tinubu’s government. But this isn’t just about internal party squabbles — it could redraw the entire 2027 presidential race.

Let’s break down what’s fueling this split, what it means for the future of the APC, and why Peter Obi might be smiling from a distance over Tinubu's troubles.

Why Buhari Loyalists Are Leaving

1. Feeling Marginalized By Tinubu

One of the loudest complaints coming from Buhari’s camp is simple but powerful: they feel sidelined. Despite playing foundational roles in forming the APC and bringing Tinubu to power, many Buhari-era power brokers claim they are now locked out of major decisions in the party and governance.

From the appointment of ministers to the inner workings of Tinubu’s economic team, these CPC (Congress for Progressive Change) loyalists say they are being treated like outsiders. Politicians like Nasir El-Rufai, Abubakar Malami, and Aminu Tambuwal —once influential voices — have left the APC for good. The result? Many have started aligning themselves with the opposition coalition ADC, particularly because they are now aware that Peter Obi has what it takes to defeat Tinubu, even in his strongest base, Lagos.

2. Criticism of Buhari's Legacy by Tinubu’s Allies

To make matters worse, some of Tinubu’s appointees and media allies have taken potshots at the Buhari administration, blaming it for Nigeria’s economic woes. To Buhari loyalists, this feels like a betrayal. For this reason and more, el-Rufai, never one to stay silent, hinted publicly that Tinubu's ratings is so poor that he has no part to victory in 2027. 

3. Tinubu’s Unpopular Economic Policies

If there’s one issue that binds many Nigerians across political lines today, it’s frustration with the economy.

Tinubu’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy, float the Naira, and his tight monetary policies have caused sky-high inflation, a free-fall in the value of the Naira, and increased food prices...

• For many northern APC stakeholders, the impact of these policies has been devastating on their constituencies — and political capital.

• This discontent is no longer whispered in Abuja backrooms; it’s out in the open. A number of these leaders believe Tinubu’s economic approach is politically suicidal — and they don’t want to go down with the ship in 2027.

The Exodus Begins: Why Many Are Rallying Behind Peter Obi

In what could be a masterstroke for the opposition, a large number of these disaffected APC heavyweights tell me that they are throwing their weight behind Peter Obi, the presumed flag bearer of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Even the conservative Sule Lamido has openly declare his readiness to support Obi in 2027, if he gets the ticket.

The 2023 presidential election proved that Peter Obi is the man for the moment. To the surprise of established politicians, he amassed over 6 million votes without having a single sitting Governor, primarily from young, urban, and middle-class voters — a movement now known as the Obidient Movement.

Now, imagine adding the northern voting strength of the Buhari bloc — once estimated at over 4 million loyal voters — to Obi’s base with whatever Atiku Abubakar could muster. That’s a potential political earthquake.

My sources say this fusion of grassroots enthusiasm (Obidients) with deep northern political machinery could produce a coalition strong enough to defeat even the most entrenched incumbency.

What This Means for Tinubu and the APC

If the Buhari loyalists, many of whom control their states’ political apparatuses, continue their exodus, APC risks bleeding votes heavily in the next general election. Combined with widespread dissatisfaction from ordinary Nigerians, Tinubu’s road to re-election could become exceedingly narrow.

Peter Obi’s Big Moment: But Who Should Be His Running Mate?

With this new coalition, attention turns to a vital question: Should Peter Obi emerge as candidate of the ADC, who should be his Vice Presidential candidate?

Here are the top contenders being discussed behind closed doors:

1. Nasir El-Rufai

Why He’s a Strong Pick: A two-term governor of Kaduna state, former FCT minister, and known reformer, El-Rufai is arguably the most eloquent northern politician outside of APC’s top echelon. He’s been vocal against Tinubu and is key figure in the Coalition.

2. Aminu Tambuwal

Why He’s a Strong Pick: The former Speaker of the House of Reps and ex-Governor of Sokoto state is a political bridge-builder. He commands respect in both the North and South and has a reputation for being pragmatic and moderate.

3. Abubakar Malami

Why He’s a Strong Pick: Former Attorney General and loyal CPC stalwart, Malami would solidify Buhari’s northern conservative base.

4. Atiku Abubakar

Why He’s a Strong Pick: If Atiku were to accept a VP role under Obi (which remains unlikely), it would represent a true “national unity” ticket. Atiku brings name recognition, money, and structure.

5. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed

Why He’s a Strong Pick: Obi’s 2023 running mate remains popular among the Obidient crowd. He’s young, clean, and already tested.

Risks: Yusuf Datti lacks the same national political weight as others on this list.

End Game: Can Tinubu Survive Obi's Political Storm in 2027?

Almost two years before elections may seem far off, but in Nigerian politics, the real election begins years before INEC sets a date. And from all indications, Tinubu’s APC is increasingly looking like a party battling from within — old alliances are fraying, while a new mega-coalition is taking over the spotlight.

The defection of Buhari loyalists isn’t just symbolic—it signals a tectonic shift in northern politics. And with Peter Obi carefully building bridges beyond his traditional support base, the stage is set for what could be one of the most unpredictable and fiercely contested elections in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

The take home is; if Obi as ADC candidate picks the right running mate, consolidates the Obidient energy, and fuses it with northern political machinery, 2027 might just be the year Nigeria witnesses a political renaissance.

#

Also READ ⤵️ >> 

> Why Ben Murray-Bruce Is Losing Silverbird Mall Over Multi-Billion Debt (all the facts)

Also READ ⤵️ >> 

> Why ADC Coalition Can Defeat Tinubu in 2027 (five solid reasons)

Thank you for visiting 👍

.

Kindly Share This POST ...