THE Forum of Former ANPP stakeholders has hughlighted the strenght and contribution of the ANPP in the 2015 APC Merger table.
In a statement signed by the Forum’s National Coordinator, Dr Umar D Duhu made available to News Point Nigeria, Saturday night, the forum condemns efforts by some quarters to downplay the contribution of ANPP in the APC merger formation.
The statement read in part: “a pressing issue that has been lingering in the shadows of our great Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). As we stand at the threshold of a new era under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, it is imperative that we set the record straight on the merger that gave birth to our Great Party, the APC.
“It has come to our attention that some individuals have been perpetuating a narrative that erases the significant contributions of the former All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to the APC. We find it contentious and unimaginable that the ANPP’s role in the merger is being deliberately downplayed, while the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) is being unduly elevated.
“Let us remind ourselves of the facts. At the time of the merger, the ANPP had Three Executive Governors, while the CPC had only One Governor. The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) had Five Governors. It is essential to acknowledge the strength and diversity that each legacy party brought to the table.
“We also need to debunk the myth that President Buhari’s electoral success was solely due to the CPC. While it is true that President Buhari garnered an impressive 12 Million Votes, it would be inaccurate to attribute those votes solely to the CPC alone. Those votes were a testament to President Buhari’s personal appeal, sympathy votes, and leadership”.
See full statement below
PRESS CONFERENCE:
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON THE APC MERGER
Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, Esteemed Leaders, and Fellow Citizens,
We gather here today to address a pressing issue that has been lingering in the shadows of our Great Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). As we stand at the threshold of a new era under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, it is imperative that we set the record straight on the merger that gave birth to our Great Party, the APC.
It has come to our attention that some individuals have been perpetuating a narrative that erases the significant contributions of the former All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to the APC. We find it contentious and unimaginable that the ANPP’s role in the merger is being deliberately downplayed, while the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) is being unduly elevated.
Let us remind ourselves of the facts. At the time of the merger, the ANPP had Three Executive Governors, while the CPC had only One Governor. The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) had Five Governors. It is essential to acknowledge the strength and diversity that each legacy party brought to the table.
We also need to debunk the myth that President Buhari’s electoral success was solely due to the CPC. While it is true that President Buhari garnered an impressive 12 Million Votes, it would be inaccurate to attribute those votes solely to the CPC alone. Those votes were a testament to President Buhari’s personal appeal, sympathy votes, and leadership.
Furthermore, it is essential to recognize that the CPC had its fair share of power and influence during President Buhari’s eight-year tenure. It is unconscionable for CPC members to claim that they are being sidelined under President Tinubu’s Government.
We have no objections to the CPC producing the next National Chairman of the APC; we will definitely support them. However, if the CPC is seeking to dominate the present government at the expense of other merging partners, we have a significant problem with that. We will not relent until justice is served, and the contributions of all legacy parties are recognized and respected.
Let us be clear: We remain unwavering in our support for President Tinubu’s Government. We believe in his vision for a better Nigeria, and we are committed to working with him to achieve it.
As we look to the future, we call on all Nigerians to give the Tinubu-Shettima administration another chance in 2027. We are confident that, together, we can build a brighter future for our great nation.
In particular, we want to emphasize the importance of allowing the Tinubu-Shettima ticket to fulfill its mandate without unnecessary distractions. His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima GCON, the Vice President, has been a loyal and dedicated partner to President Tinubu, and together, they form a winning team.
We urge our party members and supporters to rally behind the Tinubu-Shettima Administration, rather than engaging in unnecessary infighting and power struggles. We must not forget that our party’s success is contingent upon our ability to work together towards a common goal.
The Tinubu-Shettima Ticket represents a unique blend of experience, expertise, and vision. President Tinubu’s track record as a seasoned administrator and Senator Shettima’s experience as a former Governor and Senator make them a formidable team.
We believe that the Tinubu-Shettima Administration has the potential to deliver on its campaign promises and take Nigeria to the desired level. However, this can only be achieved if we allow them to focus on governance, rather than being distracted by internal party squabbles.
We therefore call on all party members, supporters, and Nigerians to give the Tinubu-Shettima Administration the support and cooperation it needs to succeed. Let us work together to build a united, prosperous, and just Nigeria.
We urge Nigerians to remember the progress we have made so far under the APC-led government. We have witnessed significant strides in infrastructure development, economic growth, and social welfare programs. However, we acknowledge that there is still much work to be done.
As former ANPP Members, we are committed to working with President Tinubu and his team to address the challenges facing our Nation. We will continue to advocate for policies and programs that benefit all Nigerians, regardless of their party affiliation or background.
In the coming days, we, the former ANPP Members, along with our Leaders and Elected Representatives, will continue to engage with the public and the media to clearly state our position. We will not be silenced, and we will not be ignored.
We invite all Nigerians to join us in this conversation. Let us work together to build a united, prosperous, and just Nigeria.
Thank you.
Signed;
Dr. Umar D. Duhu
National Coordinator