AS the All Progressives Congress (APC) clocks 13 years after a successful merger in 2013, the Special Adviser on Research, Documentation and strategy to the Kaduna State Governor , Fabian okoye said the party has demonstrated the importance of strong political institutions , constitutional governance ,leadership succession beyound just electoral successes .

Mr Okoye , a former special Adviser to immediate past Governor of Sokoto state ,senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal also posited that 13 years after, the ruling party has shown its strong hold on policy driven administration and citizen participation in consolidating democracy and, called on the party prioritize strengthening internal democracy , response to national challenges that sustains  public confidence through accountability and inclusive governance.

In a statement marking the APC 13 years as a political party , Comrade Okoye emphasized that the party’s growth represents a significant chapter in Nigerian’s democratic development as a first a coalition .

He said the  party’s decision to  prioritize citizen engagement , policy consistency , democratic continuity , leadership succession, party institutionalization as well as coalition politics  are  the lessons that have kept it for  13 years and still counting .

In a statement entitled :APC at 13; leadership, policy and the transformation of  Nigerian’s democracy (2013-2026), Mr Okoye argued that political parties are indispensable institutions in every democratic system because they aggregate citizens’ interests, recruit political leaders, formulate public policies, and provide platforms through which political competition and governance are organised.

“Beyond contesting elections, they serve as the principal link between citizens and government by promoting political participation, representation, accountability, and policy implementation. Consequently, the quality of democratic governance is closely associated with the strength, institutional capacity, and responsiveness of political parties.

“The All Progressives Congress (APC) occupies a significant place in Nigeria’s democratic history. Formed in February 2013 through the merger of major opposition political parties, the APC emerged as one of the most consequential political coalitions since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999. Its formation represented more than the creation of a new political party; it marked a strategic realignment of opposition forces aimed at strengthening electoral competition and offering Nigerians a credible national alternative within the country’s multi-party democratic system. In doing so, the APC reshaped the dynamics of political competition and expanded the prospects for democratic alternation of power.

“APC’s thirteenth anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on its institutional evolution, leadership trajectory, policy orientation, and contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development between 2013 and 2026. Beyond celebrating the party’s longevity, the anniversary offers a platform for assessing how the APC has influenced political competition, governance, public policy, and democratic consolidation over the past thirteen years. Accordingly, this presentation examines the historical evolution of the APC, its defining characteristics, strategic contributions, and its place within Nigeria’s contemporary political landscape.”

He continued,”The All Progressives Congress (APC) was formally established in February 2013 through the merger of four major opposition political parties.

“The party’s founding philosophy centred on providing a broad-based, nationally competitive political platform committed to constitutional democracy, national unity, accountable governance, and sustainable development. More fundamentally, the formation of the APC reflected an effort to institutionalise coalition politics as a legitimate democratic strategy for broadening political participation, strengthening electoral competitiveness, and deepening Nigeria’s democratic process. From its inception, the party sought to position itself not only as an electoral alternative but also as an institution capable of contributing to the long-term consolidation of democratic governance in Nigeria.

“The first major milestone was the registration of the APC by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on 31 July 2013. This formal recognition completed the merger process and transformed the coalition into a legally recognised political institution with the capacity to participate in elections nationwide. More importantly, it demonstrated that coalition politics could produce a viable national political party capable of operating within Nigeria’s constitutional and electoral framework.”

He said the 2015 general elections represented a defining moment in both the party’s history and Nigeria’s democratic development and repeated in 2019 and 2023.

“The year 2026 marks the thirteenth anniversary of the APC and provides an appropriate opportunity to evaluate its institutional growth, leadership experience, governance philosophy, and contribution to democratic development. From its origins as a coalition of opposition parties, the APC has developed into one of Nigeria’s most influential political organisations, participating in successive elections, producing national leadership, and contributing to the country’s governance and policy landscape. The APC@13 celebration therefore represents not merely the commemoration of the party’s longevity but also an opportunity to assess its role in strengthening political competition, democratic institutions, and constitutional governance over the past 13 years .

He said the party’s “Internal Party Structures and Leadership,institutional strength, constitutional structures that provide a framework for leadership selection, policy formulation, organisational administration, and electoral coordination at the national, state, local government, and ward levels. These structures facilitate continuity, organisational discipline, and effective coordination across the federation.”

He commended APC’s organisational presence across Nigeria, grassroots mobilisation and  participation across diverse communities and regions.

“Beyond electoral administration, democratic governance depends on the effectiveness of institutions responsible for legislation, justice, accountability, and oversight. During this period, institutions such as the National Assembly, the judiciary, anti-corruption agencies, and other constitutional bodies continued to perform their statutory functions within Nigeria’s constitutional framework. While public discourse on institutional performance remains both legitimate and necessary in every democracy, the continued conduct of regular elections, peaceful constitutional transitions, and adherence to democratic procedures have contributed to strengthening institutional continuity and democratic resilience.

“The APC’s growth also illustrates the importance of institutional development in sustaining political relevance. Rather than remaining solely an electoral coalition, the party has evolved into a national political institution with established structures capable of coordinating political activities and governance across the federation.”