After months of uncertainty, political intrigues and court battles, the new mega-party, the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) has finally been registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
With this development, certificates of the three leading opposition parties in the country, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) will be withdrawn.
In a statement on Wednesday, the commission said: “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.
“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.
“Consequently, the Commission has approved the withdrawal of the individual certificates of the applicant-parties, and the issuance of a single certificate to the All Progressives Congress.”
The application for registration of the APC has been beset by many intrigues, such as having its acronym conflict with that of another group that have applied to INEC for registration: the African Peoples’ Congress.
As early as on Monday, INEC was reported to have said that APC might have to change its acronym.
However, the party protested that move by saying that they would lay claim to automatic registration, which is due to them having applied for registration 30 days ago and received no official response.
The 30-day deadline expired today.