Chief Obono-Obla
June 12 Special
Q: What was the dream of the founding fathers of APC?
A: The founding fathers of the APC envisioned a truly national, broad-based, progressive political party that would reflect Nigeria’s rich diversity. Their dream was anchored on key principles, including economic and social justice, true federalism, and the devolution of power among different tiers of government. They sought to establish an open, transparent, and accountable government, ensuring integrity in public service. Additionally, they aimed to uphold genuine internal democracy within the party, fostering inclusivity and fairness in its operations.
Q: Twelve years after, would you say the dream is fulfilled or being fulfilled?
A. Since its registration on July 31, 2013, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has remained a dominant political force in Nigeria. Winning the 2015 general elections, the party ascended to power at the national level and secured victory in about 20 states’ governorships. It went on to win the 2019 and 2023 general elections, further solidifying its governance. Cumulatively, the APC has been in power nationally for about 10 years and has governed in approximately 21 states.
While twelve years may seem like a substantial timeframe, it would be unrealistic to expect the APC to have fully achieved all the aspirations of its founding fathers. Transformational and comprehensive reforms require time, especially given that societies and individuals are often skeptical of change and tend to resist it—whether positive or negative. However, the APC has made significant strides in reshaping Nigeria’s electoral culture, particularly when compared to the practices witnessed between 2003 and 2011. During that period, election results were frequently manipulated, diminishing the significance of voters’ choices, while the ruling party often secured victory without genuine competition.Electoral malpractice has since been reduced, and ongoing efforts aim to further enhance the fairness, transparency, and credibility of elections.
Beyond electoral reforms, the APC has pursued measures to devolve power from the Federal Government to other tiers of governance. A notable instance was the Federal Government’s lawsuit against all 36 state governments at the Supreme Court, challenging their interference in funds allocated to local governments. Additionally, constitutional reforms are underway to introduce State Police, a move designed to decentralize policing and strengthen security at local levels.
Another milestone is the enactment of the Electricity Act 2023, which decentralizes electricity generation, distribution, and transmiUnder thisss Nigeria. Under this law, the Federal Government, state governments, local governments, and private investors can now actively participate in power infrastructure development, fostering increased investments in the energy sector.
Furthermore, the APC-led government abolished the corruption-ridden fuel subsidy regime, which had drained government resources for over 60 years. This removal has freed substantial funds, enabling the three tiers of government to channel resources into infrastructure, healthcare, education, and agriculture—key sectors that are crucial for economic growth.
In the realm of economic engineering, the Federal Government made the difficult but necessary decision to end the regulation of Nigeria’s national currency against major international currencies, including the U.S. dollar, British pound, euro, and others. By floating the naira, the government allowed it to be shaped and influenced by market forces of demand and supply, rather than artificial controls. This move has freed significant financial resources that were previously used to stabilize the currency, enabling the government to redirect funds toward more productive sectors of the economy
As a result of these economic reforms Nigeria has become increasingly attractive to foreign investment. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the country experienced significant economic growth in the first quarter of the year.
Through these strategic measures, the government has successfully diversified an economy that was previously mono product based. Recently, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development announced that foreign investment in the solid minerals sector has exceeded $800 million
Additionally, local earnings from this previously dormant sector surged from ₦6 billion in 2023 to ₦38 billion in 2024, marking an exponential increase. The reforms initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) are yielding tangible results, enhancing the sector’s outlook and potential.
Further demonstrating the impact of these reforms, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service revealed last week that the Customs Service generated ₦1.3 trillion in Q1 2025—a record-breaking achievement.
While some argue that these reforms have led to economic hardship, it is important to acknowledge that inflation and financial difficulties are not unique to Nigeria.
These challenges reflect a global economic trend affecting many nations.
We have witnessed the passage of the Tax Reform Laws, marking the government’s first concerted effort to overhaul the country’s tax regime. This landmark reform aims to enhance revenue collection and stimulate economic revitalization.
While some critics of the APC government may argue that it has achieved little, the truth is that it has made significant strides in laying a solid foundation for the country over its ten years in power. The work is still in progress, and I believe that before the end of this administration’s four-year term, we will witness more achievements and come to appreciate the APC’s performance.
Q. As a foundation member and one of the architects of the merger that resulted in the party being what it is, could you refresh our memories of the key players in that process?
A. A. Let me start by tracing the roots of the CPC Merger Committee. On January 16, 2013, the then National Leader of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), former President Muhammadu Buhari, inaugurated the CPC Merger Committee. This committee was tasked with negotiating with the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), led by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to establish a broad-based national progressive party. Subsequently, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) joined the negotiations. These three political parties, along with elements of APGA and the defunct Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), agreed to merge, culminating in the registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on July 31, 2013.
Nearly 12 years later, while some former CPC members have expressed intentions to withdraw from APC, the majority remain committed to the party. In light of this, it is crucial to recall the original members of the CPC Merger Committee to provide historical insight into the formation of CPC and identify the party’s genuine leaders.
The CPC Merger Committee inaugurated by former President Buhari on January 16, 2013, comprised the following members:
– Senator Garba Gadi
– Senator Tanko Almakura
– Professor Tam David West (Virologist)
– Sabo Nanono
– Hadi Sirika
– Okoi Obono Obla
– Oscar Udoji
– Ife Oyedele
– Osita Okechukwu
– Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba
– Lucy Ajayi
– Bernard Banfa
– Engr. B. D. Lawan
– Dr. Haruna Yerima
– James Ocholi
– Adebayo Shittu
– Professor Buba Bajoga
– Osagie Ehanire
Three weeks after the committee’s inauguration, three additional members were co-opted: Abubakar Malami, SAN; Mrs. Adaugo Obi; and the late Engr. Joseph Rotimi Fashakin. These individuals later played a significant role in negotiating the formation of APC under the Joint Inter-Merger Committee.
Sadly, some founding members have passed away, including Senator Mohammed Garba Gadi, who served as Chairman, as well as Professor Tam David West, who died in 2019, and Rotimi Fashakin. Additionally, key members from the defunct ACN, ANPP, and APGA who participated in the Joint Inter-Party Merger Committee have also passed away, including Senator Annie Okonkwo, who chaired APGA’s Merger Committee and served as a Co-Chairman of the Joint Inter-Party Merger Committee.
Many of those who were instrumental in the formation of the party are not in its mainstream leadership, if mainstream is defined as decision-makers or administrators. In fact, none of them hold such positions, and this is not unusual. Politics, like life, is dynamic, and power play often leads to shifts in influence.
It is common for those who helped establish a government or political party to not necessarily be the ones leading it. Often, after the struggle to form and sustain a party or government, the original members find themselves sidelined, replaced, or even completely supplanted by newcomers—sometimes even by those who initially opposed the party or government. The All Progressives Congress (APC) is no exception to this phenomenon.
In the case of APC, there was a significant influx of members from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Unfortunately, the APC leadership, rather than consolidating its founding members, chose to accommodate and even favor these newcomers. Power structures were handed over to them, enabling them to reinforce their influence within the party while pushing original members to the fringes.
A glaring example of this occurred in Cross River State when former Governor Ben Ayade defected from PDP to APC. The then Interim National Chairman of APC, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, handed over the party’s control in Cross River State to Ayade. As a result, Ayade displaced the original members from the ward to the state level, replacing them with people he brought over from PDP. Furthermore, he ensured that approximately 95% of those who received APC tickets to contest the 2023 general elections in Cross River State were defectors from PDP who joined him in the party switch.
Q. Recently, some of you who came from CPC background started regrouping. What’s the purpose?
A. Let me start by stating unequivocally that CPC no longer exists. The party ceased to exist in 2013 when it merged with the defunct AC, ANPP, and factions of APGA and DPP to form the APC, which was subsequently registered by INEC. A political entity that dissolved 12 years ago cannot be resurrected—its existence remains in history.
However, within any political party—whether in the United States, United Kingdom, India, France, South Africa, or any other democracy—there are always factions, wings, or tendencies. These are formed by groups within the party who share similar values, ideologies, or perspectives and align their interests accordingly.
In this regard, within APC, there is a CPC tendency comprising members who originally belonged to CPC before the merger. Similarly, there are ACN, ANPP, and APGA tendencies within the party, reflecting the diverse origins of APC’s founding components.
Recently, some former members of CPC decided—without consulting others—to join those advocating for a coalition against APC. This decision took us by surprise, as at no point were we consulted about abandoning a party to which we have dedicated immense sacrifices since its formation.
Moreover, it is difficult to justify such a move, especially now that a key figure who played a significant role in the formation of APC and tirelessly worked for its success in the 2015 and 2019 general elections is serving as the country’s President, with only two years remaining in office. To contribute to dismantling the party we helped build would be nothing short of catastrophic. It is simply unacceptable.
Therefore, we must make it unequivocally clear that CPC is not withdrawing from APC, and any such impression should be firmly corrected.
A. The APC is a large political party, often regarded as the biggest in Africa, with an estimated membership of 20 million people. Given such a vast and diverse organization, comprising individuals from different backgrounds and varying personal interests, it is inevitable that not everyone will be satisfied with the party’s operations. However, despite occasional grievances, dissatisfaction, or resentment among members, these issues do not appear to be significant enough to threaten the party’s stability or lead to its collapse.
What we are observing, however, is that some former CPC members who previously held positions in the Federal Government are expressing frustration over their loss of influence in the current APC administration. This has led them to harbor resentment, seemingly seeking revenge or attempting to reclaim their former positions. These individuals were among those who opposed the shift of power to the current President and, in some cases, actively worked against his election. Despite their actions, they still hoped to be part of the present government and are now angered by their exclusion.
Q. What exactly are your expectations?
1. Preserving Party Unity: I expect APC to remain strong and cohesive, despite internal disagreements, ensuring that grievances do not escalate to a point where they threaten the party’s existence.
2. *Recognizing Contributions:* Those who played a significant role in APC’s formation and electoral successes should be acknowledged and included, rather than sidelined by political maneuvering.
3. Discouraging Political Sabotage: Former members of CPC and other factions should prioritize the greater good of APC rather than act out of personal grievances, ensuring that internal divisions do not weaken the party.
4. Leadership Accountability: I expect the APC leadership to be fair and strategic in managing its diverse tendencies, ensuring that original members are not marginalized in favor of newcomers.
5. Commitment to the Party’s Future: The focus should be on strengthening APC for upcoming elections and governance, rather than fueling conflicts that could harm its stability.
Q. What’s your advice to the leadership of the party?
A. I expect the leadership of APC to be inclusive, ensuring that all tendencies and factions within the party feel a strong sense of belonging. Given the diverse origins of APC, it is crucial that every group contributing to its formation and growth is acknowledged and integrated.
Furthermore, the leadership must uphold the tenets of the *Rule of Law*, ensuring fairness and transparency in governance. Decision-making processes should be participatory, allowing members to have a voice in shaping the party’s direction. Strict adherence to the party’s constitution, regulations, and guidelines is essential to maintaining order and credibility.
Additionally, mechanisms should be established to provide a level playing field for all members seeking party tickets for elective positions. Fairness in candidate selection will strengthen the party’s democratic values and encourage healthy competition.
Constitutional reforms must also be carried out to modernize the party’s structure, ensuring that it remains adaptable and effective. Finally, dedicated party members should be recognized and rewarded for their contributions, fostering loyalty and continued commitment to APC’s success.
