The History of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria

Last checked: 13 October 2026. This article is a neutral explainer based on published reports. It does not endorse any party or candidate, and where accounts conflict it says so.

The All Progressives Congress, known as the APC, has governed Nigeria since 2015. It was created only in 2013, which makes it one of the youngest ruling parties in the country’s history, and one that has already survived a change of leader, a loss of its legislative majority, a run of chairmen and a growing opposition coalition. This article traces its history from the beginning to the 2027 election cycle.

The political background

After Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dominated national politics. Britannica notes that opposition to the PDP was consistently fragmented, which made it difficult for any single group to mount a serious challenge. In the 2011 presidential election, the PDP’s Goodluck Jonathan won about 22.5 million votes, while Muhammadu Buhari of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) won about 12.2 million. Talks between the CPC and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) about a pact had taken place before that election but did not conclude, and Bola Tinubu later said those 2011 discussions foreshadowed the talks that began in 2013.

2013: the merger

In February 2013, the ACN, the CPC, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) announced a merger. The party’s own website gives 6 February 2013 as its founding date. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) approved the new party on 31 July 2013 and withdrew the licences of the three legacy parties that had merged. In November 2013, five serving PDP governors joined the new party, which became known as the “new PDP” bloc, adding to its strength.

2014 to 2015: the first presidential campaign

Buhari became the APC presidential candidate, and Yemi Osinbajo, a professor of law and former Lagos attorney general, became his running mate. In the March 2015 election, Buhari defeated President Jonathan by almost 2.6 million votes, according to the party’s own account. It was the first time in Nigerian history that an incumbent was defeated at the polls and that power passed from one party to another, as Britannica describes it. The APC also formed the government with majorities in the legislature.

2015 to 2019: first term and early strain

Holding power proved harder than winning it. During Buhari’s first term, waves of defections led the party to lose its federal legislative majorities in 2018, with Senate President Bukola Saraki and House Speaker Yakubu Dogara among the dozens of lawmakers who moved to the PDP. The party also changed chairmen. John Odigie-Oyegun, who led it into government, was succeeded in 2018 by Adams Oshiomhole after pressure from governors and other influential members, and Buhari withdrew his support for Odigie-Oyegun when it became clear he could not hold on.

2019: re-election

In February 2019, Buhari was re-elected with about 15.2 million votes against about 11.3 million for Atiku Abubakar of the PDP. He won in 19 states, according to one commentator’s count. Atiku had himself been a member of the APC before leaving.

2020 to 2022: crisis and caretaker leadership

Oshiomhole was suspended by his ward in Edo State in late 2019, and a court order in March 2020 restricted him from the national secretariat. In June 2020 the party’s National Executive Committee dissolved his National Working Committee and appointed a caretaker committee led by Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni. That committee was given six months to reconcile members and organise a convention, though it served until 2022. A national convention in March 2022 elected Abdullahi Adamu as chairman.

2023: Tinubu’s victory

Bola Tinubu, the former Lagos governor, won the APC primary and the February 2023 presidential election, which INEC declared on 1 March. He polled 8,794,726 votes, or 36.61%, ahead of Atiku with 6,984,520 and Peter Obi with 6,101,533. The opposition parties complained about the transmission of results, while the APC accepted the outcome, and turnout was reported to be around 27%, the lowest of the Fourth Republic.

2025 to 2026: consolidation

In 2025 the party endorsed Tinubu for a second term, and Abdullahi Ganduje, who had replaced Adamu in 2023, resigned as chairman. Nentawe Yilwatda was ratified as chairman in July 2025 and re-elected by consensus at the party’s 8th National Convention on 27 and 28 March 2026. During this period several opposition governors defected to the APC, and Tinubu won the party’s primary on 23 May 2026. INEC has scheduled the presidential election for 16 January 2027, with governorship elections on 6 February. The opposition has formed around the African Democratic Congress, whose candidate is Atiku Abubakar.

What we could not confirm

• The exact number of APC governors at any moment, because counts differ between outlets.
• The outcome of the 2027 elections, which have not yet taken place.
• Competing accounts of private negotiations during the 2013 and 2014 period, which are disputed.

Frequently asked questions

When was the APC formed? In February 2013, with INEC registration on 31 July 2013.

Which parties merged to create it? The ACN, CPC and ANPP, together with a faction of APGA, and later defectors from the PDP.

Who is the current national chairman? Nentawe Yilwatda, re-elected in March 2026.

Key takeaways

The APC was born of a 2013 merger of opposition groups, won power in 2015, survived defections and leadership crises, and entered the 2027 cycle with its presidential candidate chosen and most governors on its side. Its history shows both the strength and the fragility of a coalition party.

Sources checked

• Britannica, “All Progressives Congress”
• APC official website, “About APC”
• Wikipedia entries on the APC, the CPC and APGA, and on Adams Oshiomhole and John Odigie Oyegun
• Premium Times and Kola King Substack reports on the 2023 election
• Channels Television, BusinessDay and AllAfrica coverage of 2025 and 2026 events