The National Leader of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari, on Saturday in Abuja announced that the party had dissolved into the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Buhari, who made the announcement at the mid-term convention of the party, said the merger process by opposition parties of like minds was on course.
He said, “We must explore every opportunity to save our country. This is a historic moment when several different political parties have resolved to come together to change Nigeria for the better.
“We must seize this moment that calls for patriotism and sacrifice; it is time to sacrifice everything such as time, resources, ambition and ego for greater tomorrow.”
Buhari appealed for support of the merger of opposition political parties, in order to move Nigeria forward.
The CPC National Chairman, Chief Tony Momoh, who also spoke at the convention, said that it was the last convention of the party.
Momoh said, “We have had alliances, coalitions and other arrangements, but not merger in this country.
“That is why the decision by the progressive elite in Nigeria to come together to merger will work as planned.”
He attributed the success of the merger to the sacrifice, patriotism, dedication, seriousness and nationalism exhibited by the leaders of the various political parties.
Pastor Tunde Bakare, the CPC presidential running mate in 2011 election, said that merger of political parties was not a gang-up, but a constitutional democratic process.
He said that the outcome of series of talks between ACN, CPC, ANPP and APGA resulted in the merger to form APC, that would soon metamorphose into a political party
Dr Hassan Lawal, the Chairman, National Convention Committee said the merger would be the beginning of a solid foundation for the future generations of Nigerians.
According to him, the next step after dissolving into the APC was to make necessary presentations to INEC for formal registration as a political party.
Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo later told newsmen that he was not guilty of anti-party activities by participating in the merger process of some political parties as the APGA constitution recognised the existence of factions.
Okorocha said that his participation in the merger process was an indication that “my own faction of APGA is in APC”.
He was among the governors, who attended the CPC Mid-term convention in Abuja on Saturday, during which the party dissolved into APC.
Okorocha was reacting to calls for his expulsion from APGA because of his support for the new All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said that APC would be strengthened in the South East, ahead of next general election.
