INEC Registers APC, Withdraws ACN, CPC and ANPP Certificates of Registration

The Independent National Electoral Commission has approved the application of the All Progressives Congress for registration as a political party.

The APC, made up of the Action Congress of Nigeria, the All Nigeria Peoples Party and the Congress for Progressive Change has had a running battle with INEC over its decision to merge and become a new political party.

In a statement on Wednesday by its Secretary, Abdullahi Kaugama, INEC said it has withdrawn the certificates of the ACN, ANPP and CPC following the successful merger.

The Commission said the parties have met all requirement for merger.

The statement by Kaugama reads: 'The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the application by three political parties- the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) - to merge into one, to be known as the All Progressives Congress.

'On considering the application, the Commission found that the applicant-parties have met all statutory requirements for the merger, and has accordingly granted their request.

'Consequently, the Commission has approved the withdrawal of the individual certificates of the applicant-parties, and the issuance of a
single certificate to the All Progressives Congress.'