By Emmanuel Kwada
Political analyst Dr. Umar D. Duhu has issued a scathing rebuttal to Dr. Umar Ardo’s recent claims on AIT, where Ardo described the merger of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), New Peoples Democratic Party (New PDP), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to form the All Progressives Congress (APC) as merely “icing on the cake.”
Duhu slammed the statement as a gross misrepresentation that distorts the historic significance of the 2013 merger, which fundamentally reshaped Nigeria’s political landscape and led to the APC’s landmark victory in the 2015 General Elections.
In a strongly worded statement, Duhu expressed profound dismay at Ardo’s attempt to diminish the pivotal roles played by the ANPP, New PDP, and APGA in forming the APC, a coalition that ended the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) 16-year dominance.
Verifiable records show the ACN contributed only five governors from the South West
He emphasized that the merger was the product of intense negotiations and strategic planning among key stakeholders, bringing together a diverse coalition of governors from the ACN, ANPP, New PDP, and APGA.
This synergy, Duhu argued, created a formidable force that challenged the PDP’s grip on power, far beyond a superficial addition to the ACN’s efforts.
Duhu also corrected Ardo’s erroneous claim that Bola Tinubu brought six South West governors to the merger.
To reduce the contributions of the ANPP, New PDP, and APGA to mere ‘icing’ is to rewrite history and deceive Nigerians
“Verifiable records show the ACN contributed only five governors from the South West—Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo, and Rauf Aregbesola of Osun—alongside one converted ACN governor from Edo State in the South-South,” Duhu clarified.
He described Ardo’s assertion as a deliberate distortion of facts that misleads the public and undermines trust in Nigeria’s political discourse.
The 2013 merger, Duhu stressed, was a defining moment in Nigerian politics, uniting disparate factions into a cohesive coalition that delivered the APC’s historic 2015 victory.
We must move beyond rhetoric and focus on tangible solutions to our nation’s problems
“To reduce the contributions of the ANPP, New PDP, and APGA to mere ‘icing’ is to rewrite history and deceive Nigerians,” he said, urging public figures to prioritize accuracy over sensationalism.
Amid growing calls for truth and accountability, Duhu’s rebuttal resonates with Nigerians frustrated by misinformation in public discourse. He warned that such distortions erode trust in institutions and leaders, particularly as the nation grapples with economic and security challenges.
“We must move beyond rhetoric and focus on tangible solutions to our nation’s problems,” Duhu said, calling on Ardo and others to contribute meaningfully to national development rather than spreading falsehoods.
Our nation deserves better
Duhu urged Nigerians to demand verifiable facts to make informed decisions and foster a political culture rooted in transparency and integrity. He expressed hope that Ardo would take the criticism constructively and adopt a more responsible approach.
“Our nation deserves better,” Duhu concluded, advocating for a collective commitment to truth and accountability in shaping Nigeria’s future.
