8th April, 2025
News desk
Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) paid a visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Daura, Kaduna State, on Monday.
The delegation, led by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State—who also serves as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum—held a closed-door meeting with the former leader. Speaking to journalists afterward, Uzodimma described the visit as a show of solidarity and a gesture to check on Buhari’s well-being, referring to him as the “father of the APC.”
The visit comes at a politically sensitive time, as several loyalists of the former president have recently defected from the APC to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Among them is former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who reportedly secured Buhari’s blessing before leaving the party. Additionally, reports suggest that other former ministers from Buhari’s administration are preparing to defect en masse to the SDP.
Defections have also hit Buhari’s home state of Katsina, with some APC members switching allegiance to the SDP.
Despite these developments, Uzodimma emphasized that the visit demonstrated unity and strength within the APC. He expressed gratitude for Buhari’s continued support and lauded his good health and political wisdom.
“We came to pay former President Muhammadu Buhari a courtesy visit,” Uzodimma said. “We saw him in good health, and we are grateful. He remains our father in politics and is pleased with the direction of the party. The APC is still the ruling party in Africa, with 21 sitting governors. We are strong and committed to making it even stronger.”
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State also praised Buhari for his unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC, stating, “We are happy with the way former President Buhari is supporting our party and President Tinubu.”
The governors’ meeting with Buhari reportedly focused on critical issues affecting the party and the nation, though specific details were not disclosed.
