ACN Clears the Air on APGA’s Stance on All Progressive Congress (APC)

Reacting to APGA’s published  disclaimer of the APC, ACN’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai

Mohammed, said in a statement issued in Abuja Sunday that the new party has  absolute respect for the rights of individuals or groups on whether or not to associate within a democracy.
Explaining how APGA was included in the  list of parties that consummated the merger, it said: ”We recognise

the person  and status of Gov. Rochas Okorocha, who as Imo Governor has been a great  player and figure

in Nigerian political landscape, as well as Senator  Annie Okonkwo, a seasoned politician and respectable

lawmaker.
”We  believe in their representation that APGA is interested in the merger, hence  we worked with them in

good faith. They participated effectively and  positively in the meeting of all governors of the parties concerned and in  the meetings of the merger committees of the parties, leading to the  communique released

by all the governors endorsing the merger and the one by  the merger committees announcing the formation of

the APC.”
However,  the ACN said going by the statement signed on behalf of some APGA members by  Dr. Tim Menakaya,

the APC had come to the full realization that there is  dissent in the rank and file of the party (APGA).

”In spite of this,  and since democracy is about choice, alignments and re-alignments hinged on  the fundamentals of

individual freedom of association, we respect their  position, and will like to describe as unfortunate whatever misconception

the  purported full involvement of APGA in the merger may have  generated.
”We also assure APGA that we are willing to work with the  party whenever it normalizes its internal process and is ready

to join the  platform. We all remain brethren within the Nigerian Family and our doors  remain open, in the spirit of the

new party,” it said..
ACN  explained, however, that it is not only parties that can join APC, saying  that progressive individuals and groups are

welcomed to the fold of the new party.

”On this basis, therefore, individuals such as the Imo State Governor and others of like  minds are still considered members

of the APC,” the party said, while reiterating its resolve and commitment to the merger of the ACN, CPC and ANPP in a

final  push to rescue Nigeria.

”We proudly inform Nigerians that APC is large enough to accommodate all those who are tired of the sorry state of our nation

today and are ready to join in the quest for a positive change that will  benefit all Nigerians.
”We do not intend to shut our doors to anyone who  wants to be part of the APC, a platform for all progressives, irrespective  of

party affiliation, to help steer our nation’s ship of  state, which is currently being battered by turbulent waves, to safety since the

captain and the rest of the crew have either escaped below the deck or are  busy fighting themselves, having lost all initiatives

to safe the ship,”  the party said.

–
Alhaji Lai Mohammed National Publicity  Secretary Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Abuja. Feb. 10th 2013