POLITICS
Cross River LG vice chairman resigns from APC over ill-treatment
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.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has put to rest speculation over its governorship ticket, with the state Chairman, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, reaffirming Eric Opah as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general election.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with FLO 94.9 FM, Chukwu declared that all controversies surrounding the party’s primaries have been resolved, and the results announced by the primary election committee — and subsequently ratified by the APC National Working Committee — remain valid and binding.
“The results of the primaries as announced by the primary election committee and ratified by the National Working Committee stand,” Chukwu said. He stressed that Eric Opah is the authentic governorship candidate of the APC in Abia State.
The chairman called on all party members to bury their differences and close ranks in order to build a formidable APC ahead of the 2027 polls.
In the same interview, Chukwu also confirmed that Hon. Erondu Uchenna will be the party’s candidate for the Abia South Senatorial District seat in the upcoming elections.
The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, has alleged that Justice Peter Lifu acted in contempt of court by issuing a judgment that deregistered the ADC and four other political parties despite a pending appeal.
According to Abdullahi, the Court of Appeal had directed that no action should be taken on the matter until the appeal is heard on October 27. He argued that proceeding with the judgment before the appellate court’s determination amounts to a disregard for the court’s directive.
“Justice Peter Lifu, the judge who gave the judgment that deregistered the ADC and four other parties, should be arrested. The Appeal Court said don’t act until the case is heard on October 27. He’s acting in contempt of court,” Abdullahi stated.
The remarks add a new dimension to the legal and political controversy surrounding the status of the affected political parties, with the matter expected to be further addressed when the appeal comes up for hearing.
KANO — Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso has been announced as the deputy governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mustapha is the son of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a leading figure in the party and former governor of Kano State.
The announcement comes amid ongoing political realignments within the NDC in Kano. The party recently unveiled Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo as its governorship candidate for the state, following consultations among party stakeholders.
Political observers say the emergence of Mustapha Kwankwaso as running mate is expected to generate discussions within Kano’s political landscape, given his family ties to the influential Kwankwasiyya movement led by his father.
The NDC has continued to position itself as a major opposition force ahead of the 2027 elections, with the party’s leadership expressing confidence in its chances across key states, including Kano.
Party officials are expected to provide further details on the candidature and campaign strategy in the coming days.
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