Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Enugu State, Nigeria — A significant political storm has erupted within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State as dozens of party members tendered mass resignations this week, accusing Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of marginalising longstanding party stakeholders and prompting some to consider moving to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The situation underscores broader tensions reshaping Nigeria’s state-level political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections and follows months of deepening discord linked to Governor Mbah’s own party movements and leadership decisions.
Sources familiar with developments confirmed that a notable cohort of APC members formally resigned from the party on Wednesday, citing persistent exclusion from key decision-making structures and what they described as a hijacking of the party’s organisational apparatus by Governor Mbah and his inner circle. The resignation letters, delivered at the party’s Enugu headquarters, decried unilateral leadership choices that, they contend, undermined internal consensus-building and grassroots representation, leaving older members without effective input into party direction at a critical juncture.
The resignations represent a dramatic rupture in local party cohesion. According to party insiders, the crisis has been building for months as outcomes of internal APC congresses — particularly a state-level exercise held in recent weeks — failed to respect agreed power-sharing formulas, notably a 60-40 distribution of executive positions that was expected to balance interests of both long-standing APC loyalists and newer entrants aligned with Governor Mbah’s political strategy. Critics argued that the eventual composition of the party’s leadership slate bore little resemblance to earlier informal arrangements, leaving many veteran members sidelined and aggrieved.
Central to the discord is Governor Mbah’s controversial defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC last year, a move that reshaped Enugu’s political landscape and triggered factional struggles over control of party structure. After the APC’s national leadership dissolved the state working committee in late 2025 to prepare for Mbah’s entry and appoint a caretaker panel, internal divisions widened, with some established leaders clashing over appointments, nominations, and the direction of party renewal.
Many of the departing APC members were once at the heart of the party’s organisation in Enugu — including local government chairmen, executives, and grassroots operators — who now argue that their exclusion from leadership and decision-making reflects not just oversight but a strategic sidelining by the governor’s faction. Statements circulated among resigning members emphasised a belief that APC’s internal procedures had been subverted to prioritise loyalty to state power over party unity, accountability, and democratic participation.
In their departure communications, several of the former APC members also hinted at imminent moves to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a smaller but increasingly active political party seeking to position itself as a viable alternative to both the ruling APC and the fractured opposition landscape in Nigeria. ADC officials in Enugu have reportedly met with a number of the defectors to discuss membership and possible roles within the party’s structure.
The ADC, which was formed in 2005 and led since 2025 by former Senate President David Mark, has sought to expand its footprint across Nigeria by drawing politicians dissatisfied with the major parties and seeking a broad-based, “big tent” platform ahead of the 2027 election cycle. The party recently gained national prominence when former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other opposition figures aligned with aspects of its coalition strategy, though internal leadership disputes have clouded parts of its own growth trajectory.
Reactions to the resignations have been mixed. Some APC stakeholders loyal to Governor Mbah dismiss the resignations as the actions of a diminishing faction unable to adapt to evolving political realities. Supporters of the governor argue that recent organisational changes were aimed at strengthening APC ahead of future elections and broadening membership by integrating diverse political backgrounds, including those from the PDP and other parties.
In contrast, critics of the governor’s approach warn that the exodus of seasoned APC leaders could weaken the party’s grassroots mobilisation capabilities in Enugu, undermining its prospects in both state and national contests. These commentators suggest that alienating foundational party members in favour of newer allies may erode internal cohesion and render the party vulnerable to opposition gains in key constituencies.
Governor Mbah has not publicly addressed the latest wave of resignations, but his administration has emphasised achievements in governance and development across the state in recent weeks. His government’s visible initiatives — from approving promotions for over 2,000 civil servants to reforms targeted at market revenue collection and enhanced security operations — reflect a broader agenda of administrative reform that his supporters highlight as evidence of progress and effective leadership.
The governor’s previous statements suggest he views strategic party realignment as part of his broader mandate to deliver on development objectives and federal support for Enugu. This approach resonates with some constituents who see alignment with the ruling APC as a pathway to increased federal attention and investment. However, detractors argue that political consolidation must not come at the expense of internal party democracy and inclusiveness.
Political analysts caution that the fallout in Enugu reflects a broader dynamic unfolding across Nigeria as political actors recalibrate ahead of the 2027 elections. Defections, resignations, and realignments demonstrate the fluidity of party affiliations in the current climate and underscore the challenges major parties face in managing internal differences while maintaining unity and electoral competitiveness.
As the dust settles, attention now turns to how the APC in Enugu will respond to this significant departure of members, whether reconciliation efforts may be pursued, and how emerging opportunities in parties like the ADC might reshape opposition strategies locally. For many political observers, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Enugu’s political environment stabilises or continues to shift amid intensifying contestations for power ahead of a pivotal national election year.
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