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APC + APGA = APC? A Call for Ideological Foundations in Progressivism for 2027

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Overview

During President Tinubu’s visit to Anambra, the governor, Professor Soludo emphasized that All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and All Progressives Congress (APC) share ideological foundations in progressivism and called for unity among progressive political forces in Nigeria. He stated that APGA has historically collaborated with the government at the centre, reaffirming its support for Tinubu’s administration and suggesting that 2027 should be a time for all progressives to unite.

While some viewed this as a signal that APGA might align with APC in the future, Soludo later clarified that APGA remains committed to its independent identity. His remarks sparked discussions about whether APGA would formally merge with APC or simply maintain a cooperative stance.

This analysis examines Professor Soludo’s comments, critiques the APC administration, and explores the connections between APC (the tablets), APC (the political party), and APGA (the political party).

Outline:

  • APC, the Tablets
  • Ideological Foundations in Progressivism
  • APC, the Political Party
  • APGA, the Political party
  • APC + APGA = APC
  • The Parallel
  • APGA, the Political party vs. APC, the Tablets
  • APGA, the Political Party vs. APC, the Political Party 

APC, the Tablets

In Nigeria, APC tablets were a popular over-the-counter medication used to relieve pain and fever. The name APC stands for Aspirin, Phenacetin, and Caffeine, which were the three main ingredients in the tablet. It was widely used for treating headaches, fever, and general body aches.

However, Phenacetin was later banned in many countries, including Nigeria, due to its links to kidney disease and other health risks. As a result, APC tablets eventually disappeared from the market, at least in Nigeria.

APC tablets were part of everyday life and cultural memory of Nigerians, of course, those who grew up with that and lived it out. I’m not talking of the younger generations who never experienced the magic of APC.

It really was a household name. APC tablets were almost like a universal remedy back then, if you had a fever, headache, or body pain, that little tablet was the go-to fix. It was deeply woven into Nigeria’s cultural memory, even long after they disappear from the shelves.

Ideological Foundations in Progressivism

Progress is often framed as forward movement or improvement, but history is full of cases where things introduced as "advancements" later revealed unintended consequences. APC tablets were once seen as an effective and convenient solution, yet phenacetin, the very ingredient contributing to their success, ultimately caused harm, forcing a re-evaluation of what "better" truly meant.

This applies far beyond medicine, technologies, policies, and even societal shifts can be branded as progressive, but their long-term effects tell the real story. Some innovations genuinely improve lives, while others, despite initial promise, can lead to setbacks.

Real progress isn’t just about moving forward; it’s about moving meaningfully forward. It’s not just innovation for innovation’s sake, but advancement that genuinely improves lives, systems, or understanding without causing harm in ways we fail to anticipate. A strong definition of real progress might include:

  • Sustainability: Ensuring that growth benefits people long-term, not just in the immediate future.
  • Ethical Impact: Progress should uplift and empower, not exploit or marginalize.
  • Inclusivity: Real advancements make life better for everyone, not just a select few.
  • Adaptability: Progress isn’t a rigid destination; it requires reflection and adjustment as new insights emerge.

Real progress is not just about making digital spaces technically compliant, for example, but ensuring they truly empower all users.

Therefore, progressivism is rooted in the belief that societies, governments, and institutions must evolve to promote justice, equity, and innovation. It is driven by three core ideological pillars:

Social Equity & Inclusion

  • It advocates for equal opportunities across economic, racial, gender, and disability lines.
  • It emphasizes accessibility, ensuring systems work for everyone, not just the privileged.
  • It supports policies that address systemic inequalities rather than maintaining the status quo.

Adaptive Governance & Policy Reform

  • Progressivism embraces policy evolution based on emerging knowledge, much like accessibility standards refine digital spaces.
  • It prioritizes transparent governance: leaders must be accountable to public needs, not power consolidation.
  • It encourages technological integration to make government more responsive and efficient.

Economic & Structural Transformation

  • It rejects rigid traditionalism when economic models fail to serve broad societal interests.
  • It favors structural reforms that empower lower-income groups, promote sustainability, and balance corporate influence.
  • It often intersects with scientific advancements, ensuring progress aligns with ethical responsibility.

Progressivism is fundamentally fluid and adaptive, responding to societal shifts in ways that uphold inclusivity, accountability, and meaningful change. While its definitions vary across movements, its foundational goal remains; progress must be real, not just rhetoric.

APC, the Political Party

The APC, the political party was formed in 2013 as a merger of opposition parties (a faction of APGA, the Action Congress of Nigeria, the All-Nigeria Peoples Party, and the Congress for Progressive Change), promising political change.

They marketed themselves as a progressive force, yet has faced criticism over governance, defections, and internal conflicts. Some critics argue it has become a refuge for politicians seeking power rather than genuine reform. Others have described it as a party rife with internal contradictions, where incompetence and opportunism coexist easily.

APGA, the Political party

The All-Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was founded in 2002 as a political party in Nigeria, advocating for nationalism, federalism, and progressivism. In the 2003 elections, APGA won a small percentage of votes but gained recognition when its presidential candidate, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, secured 3.3% of the vote. The party made significant strides in Anambra State, where it has maintained governance since 2003, solidifying its influence in the South-East. In 2013, a faction of APGA merged with other opposition parties to form the All-Progressives Congress (APC), though APGA itself remained independent. Over the years, APGA has faced internal leadership disputes but continues to hold seats in Nigeria’s legislature and governorship positions.

APC + APGA = APC

The APC tablet and the APC political party in Nigeria share a name, but their trajectories tell a deeper story about perceived progress and unintended consequences.

APC, the Tablet (Aspirin, Phenacetin, Caffeine) was once a trusted remedy for fever and pain, widely used in Nigeria. Eventually banned due to phenacetin’s harmful effects, showing how something initially seen as beneficial can later be recognized as dangerous. Its disappearance marked a shift in medical standards and public health awareness.

The Parallel

Both APCs started with promise, one as a cure, the other as a political movement. Over time, both faced scrutiny: the tablet for its harmful ingredient, the party for its political maneuverings. We can argue that not everything labelled as progressive truly leads to progress, real advancement requires long-term benefits, ethical integrity, and inclusivity.

Real progress is not about flagging off 700 kilometres highway project, it’s not just about introducing something new; it’s about ensuring it serves people well over time. The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is planned to be 700 kilometres long. It will connect Victoria Island in Lagos to Calabar in Cross River State, passing through nine coastal states including Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River. Construction began in March 2024, and the first phase, a 47.47-kilometer stretch, is expected to be completed by May 29, 2025. The entire project is estimated to cost between $11 billion and $12.5 billion, with a funding structure based on Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing (EPCF).

The question to ask is: Is this progressive when almost all existing federal and state highways are deathtraps? In politics, just like in medicine, intentions don’t always guarantee good outcomes.

A solid framework for evaluating real progress in governance would need to focus on impact over rhetoric, not just promises of change, but measurable benefits felt by the people.

The All-Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) stands apart from both APC, the tablet and APC, the political party in several ways, despite sharing a similar acronym.

 APGA, the Political party vs. APC, the Tablet

  • APC, the tablet was once a trusted remedy but later banned due to phenacetin’s harmful effects.
  • APGA, as a political entity, has no direct health implications, but its longevity suggests it has adapted better than the APC tablet, which was phased out.

APGA, the Political Party vs. APC, the Political Party

  • Origins & Identity: APGA was founded in 2002 and has historically been associated with regional nationalism, particularly in the South-East of Nigeria. APC, on the other hand, was formed in 2013 as a merger of opposition parties, aiming for broader national influence.
  • Political Influence: APGA has maintained stronghold governance in Anambra State since 2003, whereas APC has had a more dominant national presence.
  • Philosophy: APGA leans towards progressivism, federalism, and Pan-Africanism, while APC brands itself as a progressive coalition, though its governance has faced criticism.

Conclusion

APGA’s survival suggests that adaptability and regional loyalty can sustain a political movement, whereas APC (both the party and the tablet) faced challenges due to controversial ingredients, whether in medicine or governance.

APGA has maintained a clearer ideological consistency over the years, unlike APC, which evolved from a merger and has faced shifts in direction. It seems APGA’s regional and ideological roots have kept it stable, whereas APC has had to manage broader, sometimes conflicting interests. 

References

Wikipedia contributors. (2025, May 25). All Progressives Congress. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 05:34, May 29, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=All_Progressives_Congress&oldid=1292071644

All Progressives Congress (APC), political party, Nigeria, Amy McKenna, Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, Last Updated: May 25, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/place/Nigeria/Climate

Is APC The Party of Refuge for Nigerian Politicians? By Isaac Asabor, in The Nigerian Voice, May 14, 2025. https://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/350946/is-apc-the-party-of-refuge-for-nigerian-politicians.html

Wikipedia contributors. (2025, January 28). All Progressives Grand Alliance. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 05:44, May 29, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=All_Progressives_Grand_Alliance&oldid=1272468767

“Anambra government will sustain APGA’s progressive foundation, Soludo”, by Vincent Ujumadu. May 5, 2025, in Vanguard. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/05/anambra-government-will-sustain-apgas-progressive-foundation-soludo/

“700-Kilometer Lagos-Calabar Highway Completion Set for January 2026”. Last Updated: May 24, 2025Updated by M Kubwa in Construction Review. https://constructionreviewonline.com/news/700-kilometer-lagos-calabar-highway-completion-set-for-january-2026/

“Soludo backs Tinubu for 2027, says APGA, APC ideological allies” By Al-Mustapha A. Mustapha. Fri, 9 May 2025. In Daily Trust. https://dailytrust.com/soludo-backs-tinubu-for-2027-says-apga-apc-ideological-allies/


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