ACN Denies INEC's Objection To Use Of APC Acronym

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The National Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Alhaji Lai Muhammed has denied the media report that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is restraining his party, All Progressives Congress, from using the acronym, APC, under the guise that it is clashing with that of the African Peoples Congress.

Muhammed who denied the report during a telephone chat with our correspondent, added that the party is yet to receive a formal letter from INEC in that regard.

He said the party wrote INEC inform it about their 18 April  convention in Lagos and their resolutions, adding that if it had any problems with them using the acronym, it would not have sent its officials to monitor the convention which was held at Onikan Stadium, Lagos, southwest Nigeria.

His words: “there is no iota of truth in that report. If after our convention and up till today, 29  April, we are yet to receive any letter from INEC in that respect, it means something is wrong somewhere.

“We wrote INEC on 15 March, briefing it that we will be having our National Convention on the 18 April and that we will pass a resolution in line with Section 84 of the electoral act that we would merge and become All Progressives Congress with the acronym, APC. One would expect that giving such long notice, if INEC has any objection, they would have notified us earlier.

“Their officers were present at the convention. They sent five of their officials to cover the convention. After the convention, they have not written us a letter in that respect. Therefore, we do not know the intention or whose interest the newspaper that report such is serving.”

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Meanwhile, Rotimi Fashakin, spokesperson for Congress for Progressive Change told P.M.NEWS that he is not aware of the letter. While describing the existence of the letter as a rumour, the CPC stalwart wondered why the document purportedly sent to the parties on 23 April has not been received six days after.

He also told P.M.NEWS that the process of APC merger is still on.

“I don’t know where that paper got its information from. I am not aware of that letter from INEC,” Fashakin added.

The CPC and the ANPP are continuing with their merger arrangement with ACN. At the convention,  members of both parties will ratify the merger scheduled for 11 May.

He, however, said he will not comment on the issue until the party formally receives the letter and the issues become clearer.

—Jamiu Yisa

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