The Vice Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Area in Cross River State, Emmanuel Yakubu, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress, citing sustained ill-treatment of himself and his loyal supporters by key figures within the party, particularly the council chairman, Chris Agbeh.
Yakubu said his decision to quit the ruling party was born out of frustration, injustice, and a complete breakdown of internal cohesion within the council’s leadership.
In a resignation letter made public on Wednesday, he accused the chairman of running a one-man administration that sidelines other elected officials and undermines collective governance.
He said, “I have served as Vice Chairman of Ogoja Local Government a position afforded me by the APC with full dedication, both emotionally and financially. Sadly, my supporters and I have been continually sidelined in the party’s activities and decision-making processes.”
Yakubu narrated multiple instances of internal conflict, including being denied access to his official quarters and being forced to lodge at a hotel at his own expense since assuming office.
According to him, the chairman also failed to include him in council meetings, committee setups, project planning, or appointments.
“Not once has an executive council meeting been held. Everything is done without my input as Vice Chairman. It’s been a complete show of exclusion,” he lamented.
The Vice Chairman further recounted an incident involving the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in which he was asked to head a committee on a refugee irrigation project. Rather than support the initiative, Yakubu alleged, the chairman rebuked him in front of visitors and effectively shut down his involvement, despite the humanitarian project falling under his office’s responsibilities.
“In October, before our election, I paid for his CROSIEC forms. He promised to refund me the same day, but till now, not a kobo has been returned. Even the money he borrowed after our inauguration remains unpaid,” Yakubu revealed.
Yakubu noted that despite his efforts in mobilising former opposition supporters—especially from the PDP stronghold in Urban Ward II—the party leadership offered no financial or moral support.
“I almost collapsed the PDP in Urban Ward II, yet the burden of sustaining that structure fell solely on me,” adding that the neglect of the grassroots was eroding public confidence in the APC in Ogoja.
He pledged his continued support for Governor Bassey Otu, praising his administration’s performance and vowing to work for the governor’s success in future elections, regardless of his own political affiliation.
“I will not allow my followers to be used and discarded. I wish the APC well, but I must move forward with those who believe in inclusion, accountability, and service,” he said.
As of press time, neither the APC leadership in the local government nor Chairman Agbeh had issued any official response to the allegations contained in the resignation letter.
