Setting the Records Straight: The True Founders of the APC:

Chief Okoi Obono-Obla

The human memory is incredibly short—especially in Nigeria, where politics is played in such a cavalier manner. There is always a tendency to tweak or twist stories to suit a particular narrative that some political juggernauts want to weave to advance their agenda.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) was founded just twelve years ago—precisely on July 31, 2013, when it was registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission. Yet, to some people, it seems like ages ago. Today, when they write about the party, there is a deliberate effort to change the narrative to suit whatever agenda they wish to promote.

Some now want to believe that the likes of Nasir El-Rufai, Atiku Abubakar, Dr Bukola Saraki, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Rotimi Amaechi, Boss Mustapha, Audu Abubakar, etc were among the founding fathers of the APC—when, in fact, they were not.

In all sincerity, the true founders of the APC were the late former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who were the major masterminds behind the merger of their political parties—the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)—before other parties like the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) decided to join.

Also worth noting is the Progressive Governors Forum, formed on February 6, 2013, by governors from the three largest opposition parties—ACN, CPC, and ANPP—along with a breakaway faction of APGA. These governors included:

Babatunde Fashola (SAN) – ACN

John Kayode Fayemi – ACN

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole – ACN

Umaru Tanko Al-Makura – CPC

Rochas Okorocha – APGA

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola – ACN

Ibrahim Geidam – ANPP

Abdul-Aziz Yari Abubakar – ANPP

Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi – ACN

Ibikunle Oyelaja Amosun – ACN

Kashim Shettima – ANPP

These governors met and resolved to form the political association known as the All Progressives Congress even before the Joint Inter-Party Merger Committee—the umbrella committee of the merger efforts by ACN, ANPP, CPC, and APGA—concluded the merger process. Their early commitment added significant impetus to the leadership’s efforts to agree on merging their various political parties.

The Inter-Party Merger Committee was made up of all the members of the merger committees of ACN, ANPP, CPC, APGA, and the DPP. The Chairman was Chief Tom Ikimi, who was also the Chairman of the ACN Merger Committee. The Co-Chairmen were Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, Chairman of the ANPP Merger Committee; Senator Garba Gadi, Chairman of the CPC Merger Committee; and Senator Annie Okonkwo, Chairman of the APGA Merger Committee.

Four Co-Secretaries were appointed, drawn from the CPC, ACN, ANPP, and APGA. They were Dr. Ibrahim Lame (ACN), Chief Okoi Obono-Obla (CPC), Dr. George Moghalu (APGA), and Senator Osita Izunaso (APGA). All members of the merger committees of ACN, ANPP, APGA, CPC, and DPP were also made members of the Joint Inter-Party Merger Committee. This is the committee that finally negotiated the formation of the APC, which was registered on July 31, 2013.

The Chairmen of these progressive political parties that agreed to merge were Prince Tony Momoh (CPC), Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu (ANPP), and Chief Bisi Akande (ACN). The National Secretaries of ACN, CPC, and ANPP signed the merger agreement together with these Chairmen. They were Senator Lawali Shuaibu for ACN, Engr. Buba Galadima for CPC, and George Moghalu for ANPP.

The factions of DPP and APGA did not sign the merger agreement because of concerns that if they did, the rival factions might challenge their authority to commit their parties to the merger—potentially scuttling the entire agreement.

The leadership of these parties, the governors, and the members of the Joint Inter-Party Merger Committee are, in truth, the founding fathers of the APC—no more, no less.

History should be recorded as it happened, not as some wish it to be remembered.
Chief Okoi Obono-Obla