Untold Story of the Making of APC

Different versions have been bandied on how the three legacy political parties, namely: All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Congress of Progressive Change (CPC) sacrificed their personal identities to form the largest political party in Africa, the All Progressives Congress (APC). While some political analysts and players have ascribed the success of the merger to the tenacity of some few individuals, thereby shutting out the heroic roles other played, there is another category of Nigerians who hold the view that there is more to what is been told to Nigerians.

Interestingly, one of the key actors who played a strategic role in the merger success story has written a book entitled, “From Opposition to Governing Party: Nigeria’s APC Merger Story”. The book scientifically and meticulously tells the merger story, as well as how power was peacefully transferred for the first time in Nigeria’s political history, from the major political party, the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) to the newly-merged party, APC. The book also debunks some wrong insinuations that were hitherto held by some less-informed Nigerians who were quick to ascribe the success story of the merger to certain individuals.

The historic book was unveiled on Monday, 7th December, 2015 at the popular Musa Yar’Adua Center in Abuja. The event had in attendance President Muhammadu Buhari, former vice president Atiku Abubakar, serving and former governors, serving and former federal lawmakers, spiritual and traditional leaders, as well as APC supporters were on ground to add flavour to the book launch.

Political observers who are pleased with the penning down of the interplay and underreported politicking that played out, have described the book as one that will educate students of history of how sacrifices of few individuals liberated Nigeria from the grip of PDP’s sixteen years rule. They also hold the view that as the first book written, which captures the merger, many more actors who played key role in the merger process will follow suit and tell their own stories.

The book launch, many believe, was significant for a number of reasons. It offered an opportunity for leaders of the ruling to pour encomiums on Dr. Onu whose earlier foresight birthed the mega merger of the legacy political parties. Speakers upon speakers who tune their turns to speak on the significance of the book, as well as the sterling leadership qualities of Dr. Onu, described him as the face of modern Nigeria.

President Buhari who wrote the forward of the book had this to say about the 470-page history material. “Dr. Onu is painstaking in his research and recollections. He cites relevant parallels in Namibia, Guinea and Togo, among others, at critical historical junctures when a dominant party becomes too strong and indeed assumes a one-party posture, thereby becoming inclined to break the law, violate the party’s and country’s Constitution by trying to illegally extend the tenure of an incumbent president. We in the APC, must learn and draw the correct conclusions from history.”

Speaking further on the relevance of the book, President Buhari quipped: “Dr. Onu is lucid, meticulous and generally accurate in his facts and analyses. Uninitiated students of Nigerian political history could do worse than study the first three chapters if this book. They give fairly accurate, yet concise, account of Nigeria’s political development since the First Republic.

Speaking on the role Dr. Onu played in the formation of APC, Buhari said: “The role played by Dr. Onu in the beginning and especially at the critical stage of the merger cannot be underestimated. Some of his colleagues in the ANPP, of which he was chairman, had different and I day say, narrower visions than Dr. Onu’s. His ultimate aim was a general consolidation to create a strong party, capable of dislodging the PDP. Whenever his personal interest, wishes and desires came into conflict with the overall interest of the merger, he sublimated his own interest.”

President Buhari traced the origin of his relationship with Dr. Onu to his days in protective custody when Ibrahim Babangida held sway as military Head of State. He revealed that Onu was among the few Nigerians who stood by him during his trying days.

“My relationship with the author is cordial. When I was placed in protective custody, he was sending people to greet me regularly. That was how the relationship developed. We realised in 2015 that unless we come together, the PDP will succeed in killing nige.we had to make sacrifices,” Buhari further remarked.

Former vice president Abubakar, while making his comments, hailed Onu. He said: “Let me start my congratulating Onu on his appointment as minister. I think every Nigerian pays attention to public affairs. His appointment is well deserved. Those of us who have worked with him have come to see in him competence, humility and sharp intellect. He is a gentleman in every good sense of the world.

“It is amazing that he found time despite what was going on to write this book. The book chronicles the process that led to the formation of the the APC. As we have been told, it is a story of patriotism and sacrifice. It is also a story of change.”

Governor of Sokoto state, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal while recalling his days as Speaker of the House of Representatives and the role Onu played in the formation of APC, said: “I was privileged to be the Speaker of the House of Representatives when all that is captured in this book happened.

“Then, I was maintaining a very delicate balance. My emergence as Speaker in 2011 was as a result of the efforts of all parties. Back then, the formation of APC was already in the wing. Onu is a man of many parts. The presence of two former governors from Ebonyi state who are PDP and a serving governor is a testimony of who you are.”

Acknowledging cheers and tributes from dignitaries who were present at the book launch, the author, Dr. Onu explained how the three legacy political parties gave up their identities to form the largest political party in Africa.

His words: “What happened has never been witnessed in Nigeria or Africa when political parties merged to defeat a ruling party. Three political parties gave up their identities to form the largest political party in the history of this country.

“Before this historic event, several efforts were made to bring the opposition parties together. None of that worked. In the past, we had tried to work together. At first, it appeared possible until the whole process collapsed. But in 2013, APC was born. This book is to document the events that led to the formation of the APC. It is about how we moved from being an opposition party to become the ruling party.

“This book will help APC to learn from the mistakes of the PDP and avoid what led to their downfall. In this journey of merger, the hand of God was clearly with us. Most people thought it was insurmountable. It is important for me to stress that in writing this book, I do not have any other interest, but to contribute to history. APC will help transform Nigeria into a great nation. The hands of God has remained with this nation. We must all work together to build a Nigeria that is united, strong and prosperous.”

The large turnout of Igbos at the venue of the book launch, as well as the presence of political leaders from the South-east gave credence to one insinuation that was hitherto the gist in beer parlours that a new Igbo leader may have emerged. Whenever Onu’s name was mentioned by speakers, there was always a thunderous shout from Igbos.

At the event, two former governors of Ebonyi state, Sam Egbu and Martins Elechi who are staunch members of the PDP were in attendance. The current governor the state, Mr. David Umahi was also there. Former Senate presidents from the South-east, market women, traders and Igbo resident in Abuja thronged the venue of the book launch, even though no official invitation was extended to them.

Since the demise of the defacto leader of the Igbos, Odimegwu Ojukwu, the South-east has been without a central leader. This has adversely affected the fortunes of the region and their collective power to negotiate what is best for them.

Observers are however of the view that Onu has the charisma, intellect and political decency to champion the cause of the Igbos and place the geopolitical zone in their right place at the national stage. Onu, unlike other Igbo leaders, made a strong case for quality representation of the South-east during the book launch. Although President Buhari did not openly react to Onu’s position, his body language supported it.

Onu remarked: “In the Southeastern part of the country, there is a growing protest. It is important that all regions are represented in an orderly manner that represents all interests. Buhari understands the plurality of Nigeria and will do everything to accommodate all. The Igbos need Nigeria just Nigeria needs the Igbos. We must assure the youths of the South-east that the administration of President Buhari means well for them.”

The conspicuous absence of two key APC leaders from the South-east, namely, Rochas Okorocha, governor of Imo state and Dr. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment. National chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun was also absent at the event. No leader from the South-west attended the event.