Buhari’s Followership Is Occultic, Tinubu Should Be Worried If He’s Not On His Side – Ndume

Ali Ndume, the senator representing Borno South, says President Bola Tinubu should be concerned if former President Muhammadu Buhari is not backing him in the 2027 general election.

Ndume made this known during an appearance on *Politics Today*, a Channels Television program, on Friday night.

The Senator said that although Buhari is no longer in power, he still holds significant influence, especially in the northern part of the country.

His comments came shortly after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, and a group of opposition leaders visited Buhari in Kaduna.

Speaking on the development, Ali Ndume said Buhari may no longer have the same level of influence as he did while in office, but his support base — particularly among ordinary northerners — remains strong.

“Buhari’s followership has diminished naturally because it is different when you are not in power and after spending, like, eight years in power,” he said.

“Of course, his popularity, everything has diminished; it is natural, but you can’t write him off, especially with the northern masses. The followership of Buhari has been occultic. You cannot explain it.

“If Buhari is coming here now, you will see people rushing to see him. Everybody, including those in the vegetable market, will rush here. Buhari is still with the Talakawas.”

Ndume went on to say that Tinubu should take Buhari’s stance seriously, saying, “Tinubu should be worried if Buhari is not on his side. Every number counts, and Buhari has one vote.

“Tinubu should also be worried about my position. Because I have one vote for him. He does not have a vote for me.”

There’s been growing talk recently about the possible departure of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) faction from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The CPC was one of the founding parties of the APC back in 2013, and Buhari is a key figure from that bloc.

Amid these speculations, Buhari reassured the public that he remains loyal to the APC — the party that brought him to power.

KanyiDaily recalls that Nasir El-Rufai, resigned from the APC and joined the SDP in March, citing dissatisfaction with the ruling party’s direction.