Former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has shut down rumours of his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC), reaffirming his unwavering loyalty to the ruling party. Buhari, who governed between 2015 and 2023 under the APC platform, said he remains a committed member and will do everything he can to strengthen the party.

The pledge is contained in a statement issued by his former spokesperson, Garba Shehu, on Wednesday, March 13, 2025. This is happening amid the ongoing political realignment and talks of a coalition to oust President Bola Tinubu's government in 2027.

On Monday, March 10, 2025, former Kaduna State Governor Nasiru El-Rufai announced his exit from the ruling party and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP). El-Rufai claimed that his defection from APC had Buhari’s endorsement, sparking speculations that the former President may soon follow suit.

However, the former President unequivocally declared that he would never abandon the party that gave him the platform to lead Nigeria for two terms. “I am an APC member, and I like to be addressed as such. I will try to popularise the party by all means,” Buhari said.

Though Buhari didn't directly mention El-Rufai, his allegiance to the party sends a strong message amid the ongoing shift among opposition politicians.

Source: Pulse Nigeria