With the 2027 general election approaching, the contest for the political structure of late former President Muhammadu Buhari has intensified, as President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar make strategic moves to secure his northern base.

Over the weekend, loyalists of Buhari—particularly former state chairmen of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), his original political platform—announced their allegiance to Atiku. The development came just days after President Tinubu paid a high-profile visit to Buhari’s family in Kaduna, fueling speculation of a direct contest for the former president’s enduring political bloc.

Atiku, receiving the CPC loyalists at his Abuja residence, described the meeting as a continuation of Buhari’s political journey. He urged them to mobilise their supporters during the forthcoming voter registration exercise.

“I am particularly delighted to receive you today. This meeting represents a continuation of your journey and your struggles. I believe that with your support, we will be able to translate this journey into success,” Atiku told the delegation.

The CPC leaders, once regarded as the backbone of Buhari’s grassroots machinery, declared their firm commitment to Atiku’s coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC). One of them said:

“Politics does not operate in the corner; bring your politics out. We are the true followers of Buhari, and the CPC bloc is intact. President Muhammadu Buhari has left an unprecedented mark in the history of this country, and we will not allow it to be lost.”

The defection is seen as a potential game changer in northern politics, given Buhari’s lingering influence across states where his name still commands loyalty.

Meanwhile, President Tinubu’s Kaduna trip—ostensibly to attend a wedding and to pay a courtesy call on Aisha Buhari, the former First Lady—was widely interpreted as a symbolic attempt to reinforce his claim as Buhari’s political heir. The optics of the visit, which placed Tinubu in Buhari’s family home, were viewed as a strategic effort to reconnect with northern grassroots networks.

Analysts say the struggle goes beyond personalities, with both camps seeking to define Buhari’s legacy. While Atiku positions himself as custodian of Buhari’s grassroots following, Tinubu projects himself as the rightful heir to his political base.

The battle is expected to intensify as voter registration and grassroots mobilisation gain momentum ahead of 2027. Should Buhari’s loyalists tilt decisively towards Atiku, the All Progressives Congress (APC) could face serious challenges in retaining control of its traditional northern strongholds.

For now, the political field has been redrawn: Buhari’s once unified bloc has become the most sought-after prize, with Tinubu and Atiku locked in a struggle that may ultimately shape the outcome of the 2027 elections.