The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the application by three political parties – the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) – to merge into one, to be known as the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A statement by the secretary to the commission, Abdullahi A. Kugama said.
The statement adds that “On considering the application, the Commission found that the applicant-parties have met all statutory requirements for the merger, and has accordingly granted their request.
The Commission has approved the withdrawal of the individual certificates of the applicant-parties, and the issuance of a single certificate to the APC.
Okuniyi Hails INEC
The state Leader of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Ogun State, Olawale Okunniyi has applauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for registering the much expected All Progressives Congress (APC) as a new political party in Nigeria
In a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday by his Media Office, Okunniyi congratulated Prof. Attahiru Jega for taking the bold step to register APC.
Okunniyi, who is said to be aspiring to take over the Ogun state Governorship seat for the second time on the platform of APC come 2015, said “by this registration, Jega and INEC has shored up their credibility standing in the eyes of Nigerians and they need to be encouraged in the run up to the 2015 elections”
The front line Political activist and PRONACO Spokesman also congratulated the National Leader of CPC, General Muhammadu Buhari, Prince Tony Momoh, National Chairman of the party as well as the leadership of other coalescing party; ACN, ANPP, APGA, DPP for their doggedness in ensuring that a formidable progressive platform is eventually raised for the Nigerian people.
He said “The registration of APC is expected to bring about good governance and restructuring of the country, which the Nigerian Progressives has consistently canvassed in the last three decades”
The dominant party in Nigeria is now bound to be effectively engaged and checked by the newly registered mega force and that will surely put the PDP on its toes, to shun impunity and recklessness of the current order thereby enriching Nigerian nascent democracy” Okunniyi said
Okunniyi also charged the teaming members of APC especially in the South West and Ogun state to immediately hit the road for massive mobilization of the Nigerian People.
The renowned Political scientist who is billed to announce his governorship aspiration shortly however confirms that he is immediately embarking on a state wide mobilization tour for good governance in Ogun state
APC Merger Poses NO Threat To PDP
The Lagos State PDP has described the News of the registration of APC for the Merging Parties of ACN, CPC and ANPP as only a process met and wonders why such should be over celebrated when the Merging parties put together, have never posed any iota of threat to the PDP.
The party, in a statement by the publicity secretary of its Lagos chapter Lagos, Mr. Taofik Gani said “This is imperative in view of the pending suit on the original ownership of the Acronym, APC. The suit is still pending and one would expect that actions must be stayed. Why should INEC flout this judicial Rule. There is a skeleton in somebody’s wardrobe! This Probe must thus start now and if the process of confirmation of the Name is found to be tainted, then Professor Attahiru Jega must be sacked and arrested ”
The party notwithstanding reiterates that the Acronym APC gives no practical advantage to the party, stating that the frustration that led to the re-branding would still manifest as the People are no longer cajoled by name of party but would look out for the personalities in that Party. “Why have they rushed to merge and not adopt one of their original names? Its because non of those names can sell any candidate again. Their only option is to re-brand. Unfortunately a Bad product remains Bad, even if its name changes”
The lagos PDP boasts that as far as the state is concerned, re-branding to APC is the worst mistake of ACN because now the ACN has lost its SouthWest identity because of over ambition to win the presidency”