By CLEM OLUWOLE
On February 6, 2013, four “pharmaceutical firms” converged on Lagos and reintroduced into the Nigerian drug market a once-popular and potent painkiller known as APC. APC, an amalgam of Aspirin, Paludrin, and Codeine, was the number one choice for the treatment of all manner of pains, fever and cold.
As kids, my parents were always quick to administer the drug to us at the slightest complaint of headache and related symptoms, without recourse to a doctor.
The painkilling allies, however, parted ways several years ago with the advent of other pain relievers such as Panadol, Paracetamol, Novalgin, Analgin and Ibex.
Actually, the four organisations referred to above have nothing to do with drug production; I was merely being figurative. The foursome are political parties—Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)—which came together, traded their identities and floated a new party now known as the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This new APC was also intended to address the socio-economic and political headaches, as well as other pains, plaguing the nation. However, a headache is often a symptom of more serious ailments lurking within the body system.
The ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which had been in power since the nation returned to full-blown democracy in 1999, was widely held responsible for the nagging political headache, fever and cold afflicting the hapless masses.In other words, no amount of APC administration would send the headache packing unless the root cause itself was removed.
But how would they achieve that? The ruling party was firmly entrenched in 26 states of the federation, whereas the four parties held sway in only 10. Ten out of 26 was not an impressive score.
Governor Peter Obi of Anambra, one of those in opposition at the time, did not seem to breathe the same APGA air as his colleague, Owelle Rochas Okorocha of Imo State—otherwise, it would have been 11 out of 26.
The Democratic People’s Party (DPP) was said to be eyeing the merger, while it was hoped that Dr Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo, the only governor on the platform of the Labour Party, would see reason to align with the APC ideologues. That would have brought the tally to 13 out of 26, an appreciable improvement.
Promise of a new political force
The PDP still remained a moving train in the nation’s political terrain, driven by 26-horsepower engines as opposed to 10.
However, the emergence of the APC provided an alternative and, hopefully, a credible platform for those suffocated within the ruling party. Nigeria needed a strong opposition to curb the excesses of the hawks in the PDP and keep them on their toes.
They had taken Nigerians for a ride for too long. In any case, unfolding events in the months that followed offered observers insight into whether these juggernauts from different political persuasions could spring surprises as the 2015 elections approached. Methinks they could—if they sacrificed their differences and worked together with determination.
Already, there were shivers and jitters within the ruling party because of the spontaneous enthusiasm that greeted the merger among the populace.
Nevertheless, APC leaders needed to be wary of moles and saboteurs who might infiltrate their ranks with the singular aim of causing disintegration—just as Aspirin, Paludrin and Codeine once went their separate ways and lost their collective potency.
A previous attempt by both ACN and CPC had collapsed due to disagreements between Bola Tinubu and Muhammadu Buhari. It was hoped that such a spirit would not haunt the APC.
From promise to performance
The foregoing was a recall of my reaction to the emergence of the APC, now over a decade in government. Eight of those years saw the late Muhammadu Buhari in power, while his political ally, Bola Tinubu, is now approaching his third year in office.
Dr Buhari administered various “therapies” and subjected the nation to difficult reforms in an attempt to cure its socio-economic and security challenges.
However, the physician himself was dogged by health challenges and ultimately left office on May 29, 2023, without fully healing either himself or the nation.His successor, who also qualifies as a painkiller-physician, has been battling relentlessly, administering desperate remedies to inherited problems.
Yet, with the pain still lingering, another group of politicians—many of whom were instrumental in the formation of the APC—have regrouped in a bid to replicate the 2015 political upheaval.Leading this movement is former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, alongside Tinubu’s former ally, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, former Senate President David Mark, and ex-APC stalwart Nasir el-Rufai, among others.
ADC and the burden of imitation
A wave of political heavyweights soon followed, including Aminu Tambuwal, Odigie Oyegun, Rotimi Amaechi, Sam Egwu, Liyel Imoke, Uche Secondus, Solomon Dalung, and Peter Obi. More recently, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso joined the fold, further strengthening the alliance. Bolaji Abdullahi, a protégé of Bukola Saraki, also features in the evolving political configuration.
An identity became necessary. Initially, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) was proposed, but registration challenges forced a rethink. The group briefly considered the Social Democratic Party (SDP), made famous by the late M.K.O. Abiola, but consensus proved elusive.
Eventually, they settled for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), capitalising on its internal wrangling.However, opting for an existing platform may prove to be their greatest miscalculation. Unlike the APC, which built a fresh structure from scratch, the ADC risks internal capture and leadership disputes.
The APC had the advantage of time—nearly two years—to harmonise its structure and prepare for the 2015 elections.
Today, the ADC is already embroiled in an ownership crisis. Following an Appeal Court ruling barring individuals from laying claim to the party’s leadership pending legal resolution, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended dealings with the faction led by David Mark. This development has effectively stalled the party’s progress and cast doubt on its readiness.
It remains to be seen how events will unfold in the coming weeks. The party has vowed to appeal the ruling and proceed with its planned national convention, even as it accuses the ruling party of orchestrating its troubles.
Methinks, however, that the ADC has largely itself to blame. As the saying goes, to catch an ape, one must behave like one. But imitation must be thorough—anything short of a true copy risks failure.
Oluwole writes from Abuja via clemoluwole@gmail.com