Politics
APC’s Roadmap To A Better Nigeria
Last Thursday, the All
Progressives Congress (APC) blazed the trail by coming up with a written document that clearly lists its promises to the electorate. The party, at its inaugural national summit held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, unveiled its code of ethics and agenda for the country ahead of the 2015 general elections.
A summary of the APC’s manifesto presented during the summit showed that the party places premium on job creation, fight against corruption, free and quality education, agriculture development, housing development and healthcare plan for children and adults. Other areas that were captured in the manifesto include social welfare for the less privileged, roads, power and infrastructure, better management of natural resources, security, freedom of religion and foreign affairs.
APC’s manifesto, according to the Interim National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Muhammed was based on the opinion polls conducted for the party by a foreign consultant, KA Research Limited (KARL), a privately owned international research company based in Brussels, Belgium and Islanbul, Turkey.
The APC spokesperson said the public opinion polls which were conducted both in rural and urban areas, showed that unemployment remains the most challenging issue facing Nigerians with 60 per cent of respondents castigating the PDP government for unemployment. This, according to him, was closely followed by corruption recording 59 per cent of Nigerians blaming the country’s woes on weak anti-graft policy.
APC, therefore, promised to tackle unemployment head on by creating at least 20,000 jobs per state for those with minimum qualification of secondary school leaving certificate and who have technology and national training immediately on assumption of power at the centre.
The party also resolved to show zero tolerance for corruption at all levels by pursuing a legislation that will expand forfeiture and seizure of assets laws and procedures with respect to inexplicable wealthy, irrespective of whether there is a conviction or not.
APC’s blueprint is a departure from the past when political parties waited till the campaign period, more often at campaign rallies before ditching out a salad of promises to the electorate.
The Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola who set the ball rolling on APC’s manifesto at the summit, described the party’s roadmap as something new in Nigerian politics. He explained that the uniqueness of the event was that the party was making its intention known to the Nigerian people at a forum other than a campaign rally as had been the practice in the last 15 years.
“No party in more than 15 years has done what we will do today. Publicly, and most importantly, together as a party, we tell Nigerians what we believe in a meeting, not just in a rally, not in the middle of a political campaign”, he said.
Fashola explained that what stand APC out from other parties is that the party has got a roadmap for developing Nigeria, and code of ethics to regulate and guide the activities of its members whether in government or out of it.
The APC may have borrowed a leaf from the first and second republics when political parties were well known for their core principles and political ideologies. For instance, the Unity Party of Nigeria led by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo was well known for its five cardinal programmes including free education and free health, while the then ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) anchored its own programmes on affordable housing and development of agriculture, among others.
For 15 years since Nigeria returned to civilian rule, the country was bereft of political party ideologies. All the parties merely played to the gallery without clearly defined manifesto. Worse still, apart from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that wears a national outlook, other parties merely existed on the fringe and tended towards protecting and serving ethnic interest.
However, with the unveiling of APC’s blueprint last Thursday, the party appears to have carved a unique ideological niche for itself. The uniqueness of the APC’s roadmap lies not only in its contents but also in the procedure and methods adopted to arrive at conclusions on each of the issues affecting the lives of Nigerians. The idea of using opinion polls to gauge the feelings of Nigerians on what they consider as most needful and challenging has added a new vista to Nigerian politics.
Speaking further on the manifesto launch, Fashola said “the work we begin today is the work that will build a new Nigeria. We in the APC seek to create a new future for Nigeria; a future when there are jobs for everyone who wants to work; a future without leaders who deprive the very families they are supposed to protest; a future of peace and stability; a future when Nigeria can feed its families; a future when a Nigerian education is as good as any education in the world; a future when the high prices of food and fuel do not undermine every family’s quality of life”.
The Lagos State governor believes Nigeria’s population of over 160 million and 290 ethnic groups who speak 521 languages ought not to be a disadvantage but a source of strength which should create jobs and opportunities for all.
He berated the ruling PDP for paying lip service to anti-graft war, saying if government were committed to the anti-graft war, there would have been enough money to create jobs for the nation’s growing youth population.
“And let there be no doubt about the link between corruption and jobs. If we had a government that is serious about fighting corruption, there would be financial resources to create jobs. Instead of stopping this corruption, this government (federal government) pardons those convicted of corruption and removes those who point out corruption”, he said.
Several other speakers including leaders of the legacy parties that coalesced into APC, namely General Muhammed Buhari of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Ogbonaya Onu of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), the APC’s Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande and former National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Audu Ogbeh took turns to tell the audience what led to the merger of opposition parties.
Gen Buhari said decided to come together to put an end to impurity in government and to ensure the country’s enormous resources are well managed.
In his own remarks, Tinubu who is a former government of Lagos State, said he was encouraged by the fact that everywhere he went even during the course of his exile, he could only rely on his Nigerian passport. This, according to him, made it imperative for him and likeminded progressives to build a truly national political party.
The former governor who said “the youths are the owners of APC agenda because it is their interest that the party is fighting to protect through creation of employment, sound economic development, and prudent management of resources”, gave indication of the APC’s readiness to build four refineries within four years in office to check the current overdependence on the importation of petroleum products and “to put a stop to the circle of product scarcity and subsidy scams in the country”.
Other members who spoke at the well-attended summit include former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former Borno State Governor, Ali Mohdu Sherrif, APC State governors and the outspoken former Vice-President of the World Bank and two time minister in Nigeria, Dr (Mrs) Obiageli Ezekwesili who delivered the keynote address.
The APC’s roadmap did not only provide an avenue for the party to showcase what Nigerians should expect if it forms government in 2015, it is also an ingenious innovation that rattled the ruling PDP whose rank has depleted in the last four months due to a gale of defection from its pack to the APC.
In a quick response to APC’s blueprint, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisah Metuh last Thursday, described the roadmap as “empty and typical of all anti-democratic coalitions”, adding that it “lacks character, depth and completely addressed no issue”.
He also faulted the APC’s code of ethics, saying the PDP was the first political party to launch its code of conduct as far back as 2006 when Senator Ahmadu Ali and Ambassador Ojo Maduekwe were National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
Notwithstanding the PDP’s political mudslinging, the APC’s roadmap is a novel idea that could help fix all the failings of successive governments in the country. But whether or not the APC is ready to accept the challenges inherent in seeking to tackle all the myriads of ills plaguing the nation, as Dr Ezekwesili canvassed in her thought-provoking address is a question only time will tell.
Cross section of lawmakers at sitting Government House, Port Harcourt last Thursday. Photo: Chris Monyanaga
Boye Salau
In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Obiora Ifoh, the party said it had taken note of Mr Obi’s defection alongside some of his supporters, as well as what it called a “lacklustre speech” delivered by the former Anambra State governor at the defection event.
“We wondered what new he intends to sell to Nigerians,” the party said, adding that it was not surprised by the move, having “since September 2024, parted ways with Peter Obi and some of his blind supporters in the National Assembly.”
According to the statement, the faction said it had patiently awaited Mr Obi’s exit, describing it as a blessing.
“The party is finally liberated by this defection and as party leaders, we count it as a blessing,” the party said.
The faction further disclosed that it had previously urged Mr Obi and his supporters to leave if they were unable to work with the party leadership.
It claimed that several lawmakers had been suspended for anti-party activities and that similar action would have been taken against Mr Obi but for the intervention of “some well-meaning Nigerians.”
It also blamed its internal crisis on Mr Obi and Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, accusing them of sponsoring what it described as an insurrection against the Julius Abure-led leadership.
“The crisis we had in the Labour Party was caused by Peter Obi and the Abia State governor, Alex Otti,” the statement alleged, adding that it was surprising Dr Otti had not followed Mr Obi out of the party despite his suspension.
Reacting to Mr Obi’s defection event in Enugu, the faction claimed the gathering was largely boycotted by prominent political and traditional institutions in the South East, insisting that those present were “political spent forces who cannot win in their wards should there be an election today.”
It warned that this development signalled the failure of any future Mr Obi presidential or vice-presidential ambition, claiming he had “clearly lost the charm that had endeared him to the people prior to 2023.”
The faction also accused Mr Obi of misleading the South East during the 2023 elections, alleging that the region suffers political marginalisation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration as a result.
“He must be told that the South East lost out completely in President Ahmed Tinubu’s government because they trusted and believed in him in 2023,” the statement said, alleging disparities in ministerial appointments and infrastructure allocation to the zone.
The Abure-Led LP apologised to Nigerians for its decision in the last election.
“We gave Nigerians a candidate we thought was good for the nation in 2023, but time has since proved that we made the greatest political mistake. We plead for forgiveness from Nigerians,” the party said.
It urged Nigerians to watch out for a rebranded Labour Party, promising to present “the best prospect” capable of returning Nigeria to what it described as its “glorious days.”
steadily toward unity, justice, and shared prosperity”, he said.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday at his country home in Ikere-Ekiti, Dr Oluyede said the development came as a shock, stressing that INEC supervised and monitored the PDP governorship primary that produced him as the party’s candidate.
According to him, INEC officials documented the process, completed all required forms, and even affirmed his candidacy in court through sworn affidavits arising from cases linked to the primary election.
He maintained that no court order or injunction currently restrains INEC from listing his name as the PDP candidate, arguing that the electoral body lacks the constitutional power to determine who emerges as a party’s nominee.
Dr Oluyede described such decisions as the exclusive responsibility of political parties, not the electoral umpire.
While playing down panic over the released list, Dr Oluyede noted that electoral processes often involve reviews and corrections.
He disclosed that he had commenced wide consultations, including engagements with PDP leadership and formal correspondence with INEC, to seek clarification on the omission and determine the next line of action.
The PDP candidate assured his supporters across Ekiti State that he would appear on the ballot, expressing confidence that the situation would be resolved in his favour.
He described attempts to exclude candidates from elections as dangerous and undemocratic, warning that such tactics undermine the people’s right to freely choose their leaders.
Dr Oluyede called on the people of Ekiti to reject any form of disenfranchisement, insisting that elections should be contests of ideas, records, and acceptance by the electorate rather than exclusionary maneuvers.
He also declared that the PDP in Ekiti had resolved its past internal crises and was now united, focused, and ready to win the forthcoming governorship election.
He urged party members and supporters to remain calm and focused, expressing optimism that, with divine grace and the will of the people, the PDP would emerge victorious at the polls.
Mr Obi spoke while formally declaring for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at a well-attended event in Enugu on Wednesday, where he outlined what he described as a fresh roadmap for rescuing the country from its socio-economic challenges.
Addressing party members, supporters and other stakeholders, the former governor stressed that leadership must be driven by integrity and accountability, warning against the culture of double standards in public office.
“We cannot continue to deceive our people. Leadership is about telling the truth and leading by example. You cannot promise one thing in public and do another in private. That is not leadership, and that is not the change Nigeria needs”, Mr Obi said.
He maintained that genuine national rebirth would only be possible if entrenched wrongs were corrected, adding that governance must be guided by competence, discipline and a clear sense of purpose.
Mr Obi also underscored the need for fresh thinking in the nation’s political space, urging political actors to move away from recycled ideas that have failed to deliver sustainable development.
“We must come with new ideas,” he said, adding that “Nigeria’s problems are not mysterious; what has been lacking is the courage and competence to address them differently. We need a new approach that puts people first and focuses on production, not consumption.”
Calling for a broad based political collaboration, Mr Obi appealed to parties and stakeholders across ideological divides to work together in the national interest.
“This country is bigger than any party or individual. All parties must come together to change the present trend. What matters is not the platform, but the future of Nigeria and the wellbeing of its citizens”, he declared.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Mr Obi challenged aspirants seeking elective offices to ensure transparency in their credentials, warning that the era of falsified certificates was drawing to a close.
“Anyone contesting for any position in 2027 must come with genuine certificates. All the machinery is now in place to verify what is genuine and what is not. Integrity must start from the very foundation of leadership”, he stated.
Drawing lessons from international development models, Mr Obi cited Rwanda and Indonesia as examples of countries that rose from difficult beginnings to become thriving economies through disciplined leadership and sound policies.
“These countries were once behind us,” he noted, adding that “Today, they are moving ahead because they chose competent leadership, clear vision and policies that support local production and human capital development.”
He also criticised the economic policies of the present administration, particularly the continued importation of food items that can be produced locally, describing such practices as inimical to national development.
“You cannot grow an economy by killing local production. Importing food that we can produce in Nigeria destroys jobs, weakens our farmers and drains our foreign exchange. A serious country must produce what it consumes”, he argued.
The event featured renewed calls from ADC supporters for sustained engagement and mobilisation, as Mr Obi reiterated his belief that Nigeria remains redeemable if led with honesty, competence and a commitment to shared national progress.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, expressed confidence in the emerging coalition, assuring Nigerians that the party would deliver good governance at all levels of administration if entrusted with power.
The gathering also witnessed the defection of several prominent politicians from different political parties across the South-East and beyond.
The motion endorsing the defection was moved by a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, and seconded by former economic adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Osita Ogbu.
Goodwill messages from notable political figures, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Mrs. Aisha Yesufu, Chief Sam Egwu, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Chief Achike Udenwa, Mr Onyema Ugochukwu and Senator Gilbert Nnaji among others, further underscored the growing momentum within the ADC.
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