The Making of APC: Unity That Won Power—and the Cracks That Followed
A coalition born from ambition and necessity. The APC emerged as a formidable giant, swallowing the old order in 2015. But beneath the veneer of victory lay a patchwork of rival factions, ideological contradictions, and power blocs. Today, as the party navigates another election cycle, understanding its origin story is essential to decoding Nigeria's political future — from the strategic genius of its formation to the enduring tensions that threaten its cohesion.
The Power Behind the Merger: Architects of a New Nigeria
The APC emerged from the merger of major opposition parties, but more importantly, it was built on the strength of key political heavyweights. At the forefront was Bola Ahmed Tinubu, widely regarded as the chief architect of the coalition. Through his influence in the South-West and leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Tinubu played a crucial role in uniting disparate political interests.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu
National Leader, ACN (South-West)The strategic mastermind who united the opposition. Tinubu’s political infrastructure and negotiation skills were pivotal in forging the merger, leveraging his South-West base to create a national coalition.
Muhammadu Buhari
CPC (North-West)Brought a massive, loyal voter base and an anti-corruption image. His reputation for discipline became a central pillar of the party’s appeal, especially in the North.
Atiku Abubakar
New PDP Bloc (North-East)Joined the coalition with influential governors and lawmakers, adding national breadth and financial muscle to the merger.
Ogbonnaya Onu & Rochas Okorocha
APGA / ANPP (South-East / South-West)Key regional figures who brought critical electoral blocks and legitimized the APC’s claim to being a truly national alternative.
Despite their diverse political ideologies and ambitions, these leaders found common ground in one goal: to wrest power from the PDP. The merger was officially sealed in February 2013, and by mid-2013, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognized the APC as Nigeria's newest political party.
A Historic Victory: The 2015 Watershed
That goal was realized in the 2015 Nigerian General Election, when APC’s candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, defeated incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. It was a landmark moment—the first time an opposition party successfully unseated a sitting government in Nigeria. The victory was widely celebrated as a major step forward for democratic consolidation in the country. For the first time in sixteen years, the PDP was relegated to opposition, and a new ruling party took the reins of Africa's largest democracy.
The euphoria, however, masked deep structural issues. The APC had won power, but it had not yet become a truly cohesive political entity. The glue that held it together — the shared enemy, the PDP — was gone.
From Unity to Friction: The Cracks That Followed
— Dr. Aliyu Bello, political historian, April 2026
Defections and Divisions: The Exodus Begins
One of the most notable fractures came in 2017, when Atiku Abubakar exited the APC and returned to the PDP, citing concerns over internal democracy and direction within the party. Similarly, Rochas Okorocha and other party leaders became increasingly critical of the party's leadership, pointing to marginalization and lack of cohesion. Across several states — from Zamfara to Ogun, from Imo to Adamawa — factional disputes, power struggles, and defections became recurring issues, gradually weakening the internal unity that once defined the APC.
The party also saw high-profile exits of founding members like Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso (who later formed the NNPP) and a steady stream of legislators crossing the aisle. While the APC managed to retain power at the federal level, the underlying tensions forced the party's leadership to adopt increasingly centralized control mechanisms, often alienating local power brokers.
Survival Amid Crisis: How APC Has Endured
Despite these challenges, the APC managed to retain power at the federal level in subsequent elections. In 2023, Bola Ahmed Tinubu—one of the original architects of the merger—rose to the presidency under the party’s platform. His victory demonstrated the party’s enduring electoral strength, particularly in the South-West and parts of the North. But it also revealed new fault lines: the contentious Muslim-Muslim ticket, the alienation of some Christian leaders, and ongoing battles for control of National Assembly leadership.
The APC's ability to survive, analysts argue, owes less to ideological coherence and more to the control of state resources, strategic use of incumbency, and the weakness of opposition parties to present a unified alternative. Yet, as the 2027 elections approach, the same foundational cracks — between progressives and conservatives, between federal power brokers and state-level chieftains — remain unresolved.
Founding member reflects: “We dreamed of a different kind of party”
A former interim national officer of the APC (who spoke on condition of anonymity) told Sweep TV: “In the beginning, we believed the APC would institutionalize internal democracy, rotate power, and break the godfather stranglehold. But old habits returned. The merger was a marriage of necessity, not conviction. That’s the root of the cracks.”
Comparing Political Eras: APC vs. PDP
Political scientists note that while the PDP was also a coalition of elites, it developed stronger internal conflict-resolution mechanisms over sixteen years in power. The APC, by contrast, has relied more heavily on the personal authority of its top leaders to mediate disputes — a system that becomes fragile when those leaders are in competition. As Nigeria moves toward 2027, the APC’s capacity to manage internal succession struggles, especially for the presidency and key governorships, will determine whether the party remains the country's dominant political force or begins a slow unraveling.
What next for the APC? The 2027 test
As President Tinubu’s first term progresses, the APC faces critical decisions: Will it embrace genuine internal democracy or tighten top-down control? Can it reconcile warring factions in states like Kano, Rivers, and Ogun? And most importantly, who will succeed Tinubu in 2027? The answers to these questions will determine whether the APC can defy the odds and avoid the fate of past Nigerian ruling parties that splintered after losing the presidency.
Key takeaway: The APC's origin story is a tale of brilliant coalition-building followed by the slow erosion of trust. For Nigeria's democracy, the party's ability to reform itself is as important as any single election outcome.
Tinubu, Buhari, Atiku: How the 'Triple Alliance' Shaped Modern Nigeria
APC’s National Convention: A Test of Cohesion Ahead of 2027
The APC's journey from a triumphant merger in 2013 to a party grappling with internal fissures offers a masterclass in coalition governance. As Nigeria heads toward 2027, the question is no longer whether the APC can win, but whether it can hold itself together long enough to do so.