All Progressives Congress

All Progressives Congress. The All Progressives Congress is a major centre-right political party in Nigeria, formed in 2013 from a merger of several opposition parties. It became the ruling party in 2015 after defeating the People's Democratic Party in the general election, bringing an end to sixteen years of PDP governance. The party has since produced two Presidents, Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu, and has dominated the National Assembly and numerous state governments.

History

The party was officially registered on July 31, 2013, following protracted negotiations and a landmark merger of four major opposition parties: the Action Congress of Nigeria, the Congress for Progressive Change, the All Nigeria Peoples Party, and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance. Key architects of the merger included Bola Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos State, Muhammadu Buhari, a former military head of state, and Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President of Nigeria. This coalition successfully challenged the dominance of the People's Democratic Party by winning the 2015 presidential election, with Buhari defeating incumbent Goodluck Jonathan. The party secured a second term in the 2019 election but faced significant internal defections, including that of Abubakar to the PDP. It retained power in the 2023 election with the victory of its candidate, Bola Tinubu, against Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

Ideology and political positions

The party's platform is broadly described as centre-right, blending elements of Conservatism, Economic liberalism, and Populism. Its foundational "Roadmap to a New Nigeria" emphasized anti-corruption, security, and economic diversification, themes heavily promoted during Muhammadu Buhari's campaigns. Key policy stances have included support for the Petroleum Industry Act, the removal of the fuel subsidy, and the floating of the Naira. The party advocates for a restructuring of the Nigerian federation and increased devolution of powers to the states. Its populist appeal often centers on promises to combat insurgency in the North East, address farmer-herder conflicts, and revive the national economy through infrastructure projects like the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway and the Second Niger Bridge.

Structure and organization

The party's national structure is headed by a National Chairman and a National Working Committee based at its headquarters in Abuja. Its organization mirrors Nigeria's federal system, with state chapters in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, each led by a state chairman. Key decision-making bodies include the National Executive Committee and the National Convention, which is the party's highest organ. The party maintains alliances with various civil society organizations and is a member of the Centrist Democrat International. Powerful internal blocs include the Progressive Governors' Forum, which comprises its state governors, and the National Assembly caucuses led by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House.

Electoral performance

The party won the presidency and a majority in the National Assembly in the 2015 elections, breaking the PDP's hold on power. It repeated this feat in the 2019 elections, though with a reduced margin of victory. In the 2023 elections, its candidate Bola Tinubu won the presidency with 36.61% of the vote, while the party secured 59 seats in the Senate and 176 in the House of Representatives. The party controls 20 of the 36 state governorships, including key states like Lagos, Kano, and Kaduna. Its electoral strongholds are primarily in the South West, North West, and North East geopolitical zones.

Leadership

Notable national chairmen have included John Odigie Oyegun, Adams Oshiomhole, and Abdullahi Ganduje. The party's first presidential candidate and later President was Muhammadu Buhari, who served from 2015 to 2023. The current President and party leader is Bola Tinubu, a founding member and former Governor of Lagos State. Other influential figures include Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. The Progressive Governors' Forum is chaired by Hope Uzodinma of Imo State. Past influential leaders who have defected include Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Rotimi Amaechi.

Category:Political parties in Nigeria Category:2013 establishments in Nigeria