(ACN + ANPP + CPC + APGA) = APC vs PDP - ????????

The merger bid by four opposition political parties was yesterday actualized as they announced the formation of a new party, All Progressives Congress (APC). At no time in the nation's life has radical change become more urgent, they declared.

Rising from a meeting of the merger committees of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the parties pledged to restore the nation's dignity and position of pre-eminence in the comity of nations.

The unveiling of the new party was sequel to a series of merger talks which culminated in the Tuesday meeting in Lagos where 10 governors from the ACN, ANPP, CPC and APGA met to concretise the merger plan.

In a communiqué read by a chieftain of the ACN, Chief Tom Ikimi, the parties said the time had come to bring the era of hopelessness to an end in the country. While Ikimi signed for the ACN, Senator Annie Okonkwo signed for APGA, while a former Kano State governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, and Garba Gadi signed for the ANPP and the CPC respectively.

The communiqué said: "At no time in our national life has radical change become more urgent. And to meet the challenge of that change, we the following progressive political parties namely ACN, ANPP, APGA and CPC have resolved to merge forthwith and become the ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS and offer to our beleaguered people a recipe for peace and prosperity.

"We resolve to form a political party committed to the principles of internal democracy, focused on serious issues of concern to our people, determined to bring corruption and insecurity to an end, determined to grow our economy and create jobs in their millions through education, housing, agriculture, industrial growth etc. And stop the increasing mood of despair and hopelessness among our people.