The stage is set for the emergence of a mega opposition party.
Proponents of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have submitted
their request for registration to the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC).
Action Congress of Nigeria (AC N), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) fused to form APC.
Besides the major parties, some members of the All Progressives Grand
Alliance (APGA) and the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) are part of the
merger.
Spokesman for the APC Merger Committee, Chief Tom Ikimi, yesterday
confirmed that the party- in-formation submitted its request to INEC on
Friday.
He spoke to reporters after a meeting of the committee in Abuja.
According to the former Foreign Affairs Minister, the request was
signed by the national chairmen, national secretaries and treasurers of
the merging parties as stipulated by the relevant registration
requirement.
“We were able to conclude work amicably on the choice of name, logo, slogan, symbol, constitution and manifesto.
“The merging political parties held hitch-free conventions in Lagos,
Abuja and Gusau,” Ikimi said, adding that there is no crack within the
opposition coalition on the constitution of an Interim National
Executive Committee for the new party. He said APC leaders were
consulting on the membership of the executive committee.
He said: “That (Executive Committee) is being discussed and it is
being worked out and we need to consult further with our various parties
in order to agree with those names. There are no disagreements and we
as merging parties are working and we had a fruitful meeting this
afternoon and we have made fundamental decisions.
“One of the decisions is that we should now consult further with our
various parties (on the names of those to lead the newly formed party).
Each merging party and some sections of All Progressive Grand Alliance
and the DPP have been mandated to report back to the leaders of their
group on the matter. “
Ikimi explained that APC had gone far in its merger and would not disappoint Nigerians who are eager for change.
He gave an insight into how the merging parties worked to produce the
name of the new party, its logo, the slogan, the symbol, the
constitution and the manifesto.
He added: “To this end, we have all subscribed to our new
constitution and it defines, quite clearly, the leadership structure of
the party.
“This principle underscores equality and fair play among party members without prejudice.
“We will, therefore, strive to guarantee transparency and internal party democracy particularly at this stage of registration.
“We expect all of us involved in the process to also subscribe to and
respect the fundamental principles. Everyone committed to providing our
country this platform of change must be prepared to make the necessary
sacrifice.”
ACN National Publicity Secretary Lai Mohamed allayed the fear that
INEC might not register APC because of non-submission of the list of its
Executive Committee members.
Alhaji Mohammed said: “On the list of the Interim Executive
Committee, you will know in due course. Let me tell you one thing:
nobody would stampede us and no amount of pressure would make us do what
we know is not proper.
“This is the first time such a merger is happening in Nigeria. We won’t be distracted because we know we are on right course.”
Ikimi was accompanied by former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau
from ANPP and a former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Mohammed
Gadi from the CPC.
Others at the meeting were Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha; a
former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa and a former
National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Audu Ogbeh.
Leader
of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and former Lagos State
Governor, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, yesterday told the United Kingdom
parliament that the President Goodluck Jonathan-led federal government
was a dysfunctional democracy which hangs on the precipice of darkness
and uncertainty.
“We have governments that are democracies on paper but not in function. They are democracies in form but not in substance. We have governments that only know democracy primarily through breaching it. In short, many nations suffer authoritarian governments in democratic clothing”, he said.
Speaking to a packed audience inside the Grand Committee Room, Westminster Hall, Houses of Parliament, as part of a conference convened by the British African Diaspora Conference, Tinubu lamented that from the way things are going in Nigeria, many people believe the “best chance for genuine democracy has already escaped from us like dust blown from the hollow of our hand.”
He, however, expressed optimism that true democracy shall prevail in Nigeria in the long run.
According to him, “This belief is not derived from the present facts on the ground. If I limit myself to facts alone, my address to you would be a gloomy one. However, I believe democracy shall win because I hold an undying faith in both justice and the collective wisdom of the people”.
Citing the recent controversy surrounding election of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) chairman, he said: “Today, those who control the system manipulate elections with such impunity that they now see misconduct without sanction as a normal way of life.
“Thirty-five state governors assembled to vote for the chairmanship. They did this among themselves by secret ballot. One contestant earned 19 votes, the other attracted 16. In a place where honesty matters, the result would be clear and undisputed; but not in today’s Nigeria under the current leadership. The chap who earned fewer votes was declared the winner by those who backed him. In Nigeria, the tenets of basic arithmetic have little application concerning elections. Votes do not count; they are concocted.
“Elections are not necessarily won by the candidate with the highest votes. Elections are won by the candidate of the powerful and mighty.
“This little episode would be laughable if it were an isolated incident. However, it is emblematic of a larger, more troubling pattern that portends calamity if not arrested. With this recent experience, I fear the length those in power would go and the means they would employ to manipulate results when the battleground is the entire nation and the stakes are the general elections in 2015.”
He further said that the NGF debacle symbolizes a disdain for democracy and the popular will and that for Nigeria to be saved, “we must rescue the electoral process from its abusers.”
“We have governments that are democracies on paper but not in function. They are democracies in form but not in substance. We have governments that only know democracy primarily through breaching it. In short, many nations suffer authoritarian governments in democratic clothing”, he said.
Speaking to a packed audience inside the Grand Committee Room, Westminster Hall, Houses of Parliament, as part of a conference convened by the British African Diaspora Conference, Tinubu lamented that from the way things are going in Nigeria, many people believe the “best chance for genuine democracy has already escaped from us like dust blown from the hollow of our hand.”
He, however, expressed optimism that true democracy shall prevail in Nigeria in the long run.
According to him, “This belief is not derived from the present facts on the ground. If I limit myself to facts alone, my address to you would be a gloomy one. However, I believe democracy shall win because I hold an undying faith in both justice and the collective wisdom of the people”.
Citing the recent controversy surrounding election of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) chairman, he said: “Today, those who control the system manipulate elections with such impunity that they now see misconduct without sanction as a normal way of life.
“Thirty-five state governors assembled to vote for the chairmanship. They did this among themselves by secret ballot. One contestant earned 19 votes, the other attracted 16. In a place where honesty matters, the result would be clear and undisputed; but not in today’s Nigeria under the current leadership. The chap who earned fewer votes was declared the winner by those who backed him. In Nigeria, the tenets of basic arithmetic have little application concerning elections. Votes do not count; they are concocted.
“Elections are not necessarily won by the candidate with the highest votes. Elections are won by the candidate of the powerful and mighty.
“This little episode would be laughable if it were an isolated incident. However, it is emblematic of a larger, more troubling pattern that portends calamity if not arrested. With this recent experience, I fear the length those in power would go and the means they would employ to manipulate results when the battleground is the entire nation and the stakes are the general elections in 2015.”
He further said that the NGF debacle symbolizes a disdain for democracy and the popular will and that for Nigeria to be saved, “we must rescue the electoral process from its abusers.”
Leader
of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and former Lagos State
Governor, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, yesterday told the United Kingdom
parliament that the President Goodluck Jonathan-led federal government
was a dysfunctional democracy which hangs on the precipice of darkness
and uncertainty.
“We have governments that are democracies on paper but not in function. They are democracies in form but not in substance. We have governments that only know democracy primarily through breaching it. In short, many nations suffer authoritarian governments in democratic clothing”, he said.
Speaking to a packed audience inside the Grand Committee Room, Westminster Hall, Houses of Parliament, as part of a conference convened by the British African Diaspora Conference, Tinubu lamented that from the way things are going in Nigeria, many people believe the “best chance for genuine democracy has already escaped from us like dust blown from the hollow of our hand.”
He, however, expressed optimism that true democracy shall prevail in Nigeria in the long run.
According to him, “This belief is not derived from the present facts on the ground. If I limit myself to facts alone, my address to you would be a gloomy one. However, I believe democracy shall win because I hold an undying faith in both justice and the collective wisdom of the people”.
Citing the recent controversy surrounding election of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) chairman, he said: “Today, those who control the system manipulate elections with such impunity that they now see misconduct without sanction as a normal way of life.
“Thirty-five state governors assembled to vote for the chairmanship. They did this among themselves by secret ballot. One contestant earned 19 votes, the other attracted 16. In a place where honesty matters, the result would be clear and undisputed; but not in today’s Nigeria under the current leadership. The chap who earned fewer votes was declared the winner by those who backed him. In Nigeria, the tenets of basic arithmetic have little application concerning elections. Votes do not count; they are concocted.
“Elections are not necessarily won by the candidate with the highest votes. Elections are won by the candidate of the powerful and mighty.
“This little episode would be laughable if it were an isolated incident. However, it is emblematic of a larger, more troubling pattern that portends calamity if not arrested. With this recent experience, I fear the length those in power would go and the means they would employ to manipulate results when the battleground is the entire nation and the stakes are the general elections in 2015.”
He further said that the NGF debacle symbolizes a disdain for democracy and the popular will and that for Nigeria to be saved, “we must rescue the electoral process from its abusers.”
“We have governments that are democracies on paper but not in function. They are democracies in form but not in substance. We have governments that only know democracy primarily through breaching it. In short, many nations suffer authoritarian governments in democratic clothing”, he said.
Speaking to a packed audience inside the Grand Committee Room, Westminster Hall, Houses of Parliament, as part of a conference convened by the British African Diaspora Conference, Tinubu lamented that from the way things are going in Nigeria, many people believe the “best chance for genuine democracy has already escaped from us like dust blown from the hollow of our hand.”
He, however, expressed optimism that true democracy shall prevail in Nigeria in the long run.
According to him, “This belief is not derived from the present facts on the ground. If I limit myself to facts alone, my address to you would be a gloomy one. However, I believe democracy shall win because I hold an undying faith in both justice and the collective wisdom of the people”.
Citing the recent controversy surrounding election of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) chairman, he said: “Today, those who control the system manipulate elections with such impunity that they now see misconduct without sanction as a normal way of life.
“Thirty-five state governors assembled to vote for the chairmanship. They did this among themselves by secret ballot. One contestant earned 19 votes, the other attracted 16. In a place where honesty matters, the result would be clear and undisputed; but not in today’s Nigeria under the current leadership. The chap who earned fewer votes was declared the winner by those who backed him. In Nigeria, the tenets of basic arithmetic have little application concerning elections. Votes do not count; they are concocted.
“Elections are not necessarily won by the candidate with the highest votes. Elections are won by the candidate of the powerful and mighty.
“This little episode would be laughable if it were an isolated incident. However, it is emblematic of a larger, more troubling pattern that portends calamity if not arrested. With this recent experience, I fear the length those in power would go and the means they would employ to manipulate results when the battleground is the entire nation and the stakes are the general elections in 2015.”
He further said that the NGF debacle symbolizes a disdain for democracy and the popular will and that for Nigeria to be saved, “we must rescue the electoral process from its abusers.”
Leader
of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and former Lagos State
Governor, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, yesterday told the United Kingdom
parliament that the President Goodluck Jonathan-led federal government
was a dysfunctional democracy which hangs on the precipice of darkness
and uncertainty.
“We have governments that are democracies on paper but not in function. They are democracies in form but not in substance. We have governments that only know democracy primarily through breaching it. In short, many nations suffer authoritarian governments in democratic clothing”, he said.
Speaking to a packed audience inside the Grand Committee Room, Westminster Hall, Houses of Parliament, as part of a conference convened by the British African Diaspora Conference, Tinubu lamented that from the way things are going in Nigeria, many people believe the “best chance for genuine democracy has already escaped from us like dust blown from the hollow of our hand.”
He, however, expressed optimism that true democracy shall prevail in Nigeria in the long run.
According to him, “This belief is not derived from the present facts on the ground. If I limit myself to facts alone, my address to you would be a gloomy one. However, I believe democracy shall win because I hold an undying faith in both justice and the collective wisdom of the people”.
Citing the recent controversy surrounding election of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) chairman, he said: “Today, those who control the system manipulate elections with such impunity that they now see misconduct without sanction as a normal way of life.
“Thirty-five state governors assembled to vote for the chairmanship. They did this among themselves by secret ballot. One contestant earned 19 votes, the other attracted 16. In a place where honesty matters, the result would be clear and undisputed; but not in today’s Nigeria under the current leadership. The chap who earned fewer votes was declared the winner by those who backed him. In Nigeria, the tenets of basic arithmetic have little application concerning elections. Votes do not count; they are concocted.
“Elections are not necessarily won by the candidate with the highest votes. Elections are won by the candidate of the powerful and mighty.
“This little episode would be laughable if it were an isolated incident. However, it is emblematic of a larger, more troubling pattern that portends calamity if not arrested. With this recent experience, I fear the length those in power would go and the means they would employ to manipulate results when the battleground is the entire nation and the stakes are the general elections in 2015.”
He further said that the NGF debacle symbolizes a disdain for democracy and the popular will and that for Nigeria to be saved, “we must rescue the electoral process from its abusers.”
“We have governments that are democracies on paper but not in function. They are democracies in form but not in substance. We have governments that only know democracy primarily through breaching it. In short, many nations suffer authoritarian governments in democratic clothing”, he said.
Speaking to a packed audience inside the Grand Committee Room, Westminster Hall, Houses of Parliament, as part of a conference convened by the British African Diaspora Conference, Tinubu lamented that from the way things are going in Nigeria, many people believe the “best chance for genuine democracy has already escaped from us like dust blown from the hollow of our hand.”
He, however, expressed optimism that true democracy shall prevail in Nigeria in the long run.
According to him, “This belief is not derived from the present facts on the ground. If I limit myself to facts alone, my address to you would be a gloomy one. However, I believe democracy shall win because I hold an undying faith in both justice and the collective wisdom of the people”.
Citing the recent controversy surrounding election of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) chairman, he said: “Today, those who control the system manipulate elections with such impunity that they now see misconduct without sanction as a normal way of life.
“Thirty-five state governors assembled to vote for the chairmanship. They did this among themselves by secret ballot. One contestant earned 19 votes, the other attracted 16. In a place where honesty matters, the result would be clear and undisputed; but not in today’s Nigeria under the current leadership. The chap who earned fewer votes was declared the winner by those who backed him. In Nigeria, the tenets of basic arithmetic have little application concerning elections. Votes do not count; they are concocted.
“Elections are not necessarily won by the candidate with the highest votes. Elections are won by the candidate of the powerful and mighty.
“This little episode would be laughable if it were an isolated incident. However, it is emblematic of a larger, more troubling pattern that portends calamity if not arrested. With this recent experience, I fear the length those in power would go and the means they would employ to manipulate results when the battleground is the entire nation and the stakes are the general elections in 2015.”
He further said that the NGF debacle symbolizes a disdain for democracy and the popular will and that for Nigeria to be saved, “we must rescue the electoral process from its abusers.”
Leader
of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and former Lagos State
Governor, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, yesterday told the United Kingdom
parliament that the President Goodluck Jonathan-led federal government
was a dysfunctional democracy which hangs on the precipice of darkness
and uncertainty.
“We have governments that are democracies on paper but not in function. They are democracies in form but not in substance. We have governments that only know democracy primarily through breaching it. In short, many nations suffer authoritarian governments in democratic clothing”, he said.
Speaking to a packed audience inside the Grand Committee Room, Westminster Hall, Houses of Parliament, as part of a conference convened by the British African Diaspora Conference, Tinubu lamented that from the way things are going in Nigeria, many people believe the “best chance for genuine democracy has already escaped from us like dust blown from the hollow of our hand.”
He, however, expressed optimism that true democracy shall prevail in Nigeria in the long run.
According to him, “This belief is not derived from the present facts on the ground. If I limit myself to facts alone, my address to you would be a gloomy one. However, I believe democracy shall win because I hold an undying faith in both justice and the collective wisdom of the people”.
Citing the recent controversy surrounding election of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) chairman, he said: “Today, those who control the system manipulate elections with such impunity that they now see misconduct without sanction as a normal way of life.
“Thirty-five state governors assembled to vote for the chairmanship. They did this among themselves by secret ballot. One contestant earned 19 votes, the other attracted 16. In a place where honesty matters, the result would be clear and undisputed; but not in today’s Nigeria under the current leadership. The chap who earned fewer votes was declared the winner by those who backed him. In Nigeria, the tenets of basic arithmetic have little application concerning elections. Votes do not count; they are concocted.
“Elections are not necessarily won by the candidate with the highest votes. Elections are won by the candidate of the powerful and mighty.
“This little episode would be laughable if it were an isolated incident. However, it is emblematic of a larger, more troubling pattern that portends calamity if not arrested. With this recent experience, I fear the length those in power would go and the means they would employ to manipulate results when the battleground is the entire nation and the stakes are the general elections in 2015.”
He further said that the NGF debacle symbolizes a disdain for democracy and the popular will and that for Nigeria to be saved, “we must rescue the electoral process from its abusers.”
“We have governments that are democracies on paper but not in function. They are democracies in form but not in substance. We have governments that only know democracy primarily through breaching it. In short, many nations suffer authoritarian governments in democratic clothing”, he said.
Speaking to a packed audience inside the Grand Committee Room, Westminster Hall, Houses of Parliament, as part of a conference convened by the British African Diaspora Conference, Tinubu lamented that from the way things are going in Nigeria, many people believe the “best chance for genuine democracy has already escaped from us like dust blown from the hollow of our hand.”
He, however, expressed optimism that true democracy shall prevail in Nigeria in the long run.
According to him, “This belief is not derived from the present facts on the ground. If I limit myself to facts alone, my address to you would be a gloomy one. However, I believe democracy shall win because I hold an undying faith in both justice and the collective wisdom of the people”.
Citing the recent controversy surrounding election of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) chairman, he said: “Today, those who control the system manipulate elections with such impunity that they now see misconduct without sanction as a normal way of life.
“Thirty-five state governors assembled to vote for the chairmanship. They did this among themselves by secret ballot. One contestant earned 19 votes, the other attracted 16. In a place where honesty matters, the result would be clear and undisputed; but not in today’s Nigeria under the current leadership. The chap who earned fewer votes was declared the winner by those who backed him. In Nigeria, the tenets of basic arithmetic have little application concerning elections. Votes do not count; they are concocted.
“Elections are not necessarily won by the candidate with the highest votes. Elections are won by the candidate of the powerful and mighty.
“This little episode would be laughable if it were an isolated incident. However, it is emblematic of a larger, more troubling pattern that portends calamity if not arrested. With this recent experience, I fear the length those in power would go and the means they would employ to manipulate results when the battleground is the entire nation and the stakes are the general elections in 2015.”
He further said that the NGF debacle symbolizes a disdain for democracy and the popular will and that for Nigeria to be saved, “we must rescue the electoral process from its abusers.”
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