Action Congress of Nigeria

Action Congress of Nigeria
source
Name	Action Congress of Nigeria
Abbreviation	ACN
Founded	2006
Dissolved	2013
Predecessor	Action Congress
Successor	All Progressives Congress
Headquarters	Lagos State
Ideology	Liberal conservatism, Progressivism, Federalism
Position	Centre-right politics
Leaders	Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, Nuhu Ribadu

Action Congress of Nigeria was a Nigerian political party formed in 2006 that merged into a new coalition in 2013. It drew key figures from All Nigeria Peoples Party, Alliance for Democracy, People's Democratic Party, Labour Party and regional movements. The party was influential in Lagos State, Ekiti State, Osun State and parts of Ondo State, promoting candidates in legislative and gubernatorial contests across Nigeria.

History

The ACN emerged from a realignment involving the Action Congress and defectors from PDP, ANPP and United Nigeria People's Party ahead of the 2007 Nigerian general election. Founders included politicians associated with Bola Tinubu, Olusegun Mimiko, Rauf Aregbesola, Segun Mimiko and Bashir Dalhatu, with legal disputes echoing earlier cases like Afenifere internal splits and the Supreme Court of Nigeria rulings on party primaries. The ACN contested the 2011 Nigerian general election as a major opposition force, coordinating campaigns with civil society actors such as Transition Monitoring Group and engaging in litigation at the Election Petition Tribunal.

Ideology and Platform

The party's platform emphasized policies linked to Lagos State governance models promoted by Bola Tinubu and administrators like Babatunde Fashola, advocating market-friendly regulations and infrastructural reforms similar to proposals by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission critics and reformers. ACN statements referenced federal restructuring ideas championed by figures like Chinua Achebe-era commentators and policy advisors connected to Nigerian Institute of International Affairs networks, while endorsing devolution proposals favored by southern politicians including members of Pan-Nigerian Advocates and business leaders from Nigerian Bar Association circles. On social policy the party fielded candidates aligned with positions of Obafemi Awolowo-influenced factions and progressive technocrats.

Organizational Structure and Leadership

ACN leadership combined national executives, state chapters and campaign councils featuring politicians with histories in Lagos State, Osun State, Ekiti State and Ondo State administrations. Key officeholders included personalities tied to Bola Tinubu, advisors linked to Babatunde Fashola, and legal strategists who had appeared before the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Court of Appeal (Nigeria). The party maintained relations with civil society organizations such as Transition Monitoring Group and electoral stakeholders including Independent National Electoral Commission officials. Internal organs mirrored structures used by parties like PDP and All Progressives Congress, with state executives coordinating with national committees on candidate selection and policy formulation.

Electoral Performance

ACN achieved notable victories in gubernatorial contests in Lagos State (supporting candidates allied with Babatunde Fashola), Osun State (electing Rauf Aregbesola), and Ekiti State (with contestants connected to Segun Mimiko-era coalitions), while competing in legislative elections for seats in the Senate of Nigeria and House of Representatives. In presidential politics the party fielded candidates and later supported opposition coalitions opposing Goodluck Jonathan and Umaru Musa Yar'Adua administrations. The ACN's electoral strategy involved alliances with Action Congress remnants and collaboration with All Nigeria Peoples Party dissidents during the run-up to the 2011 Nigerian general election and subsequent realignment ahead of the 2015 Nigerian general election.

Controversies and Legal Challenges

The ACN was party to legal challenges over candidate primary disputes brought before the Election Petition Tribunal and the Supreme Court of Nigeria, reflecting broader tensions also seen in cases involving PDP factions and All Nigeria Peoples Party litigations. Accusations concerning internal democracy, defections involving figures like Atiku Abubakar and disputes over campaign financing paralleled controversies faced by other major parties such as Labour Party and Action Congress. High-profile court rulings and electoral petitions affected governorships in Ondo State and Ekiti State, engaging jurists from the Court of Appeal (Nigeria) and prompting nationwide commentary from commentators associated with ThisDay (newspaper) and The Guardian.

Merger and Legacy

In 2013 ACN leaders negotiated a merger with All Progressives Grand Alliance, Congress for Progressive Change elements and All Nigeria Peoples Party dissidents to form the All Progressives Congress, involving key figures such as Bola Tinubu, Muhammadu Buhari allies, and state governors from South West constituencies. The merger reshaped opposition dynamics against the PDP and contributed to the APC victory in the 2015 Nigerian general election. ACN's governance models in Lagos State and policy cadres influenced subsequent APC administrations and remain cited in analyses by institutions like the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and commentators linked to Premium Times and Vanguard.

Category:Political parties in Nigeria