Ondo APC Leader Resigns, Accuses Party of Promoting Poverty and Misery Among Nigerians
Gbogi Emmanuel, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, has resigned from the party, citing its failure to uphold democratic principles such as fairness, equity, and impartiality. In his resignation letter dated September 23, 2024, addressed to the Chairman of Ward 6, Akoko South West Local Government, Emmanuel expressed deep disappointment with the party’s current direction. The letter was obtained by SaharaReporters on Saturday.
Emmanuel criticized the APC for contributing to the growing poverty and misery among Nigerians, attributing much of the country’s economic hardship to the party’s policies. He singled out the recent primary election that selected the party’s flag bearer for the upcoming November gubernatorial election as a major source of disillusionment.
In his letter, Emmanuel wrote: “I write to formally notify you and the leadership structure of the APC in Ondo State and Nigeria that I hereby tender my resignation letter from the party with immediate effect. This decision is a well-thought-out resolution after extensive consultations with my immediate family, friends, political associates, and my political structure across Akoko land and beyond.”
He further explained that his decision stemmed from the party’s abandonment of democratic values. “My decision stems from the failure of the party to continue to uphold the true tenets and principles of democracy, which include fairness, equity, impartiality, rewards for loyalty, and delivering the dividends of democracy to the masses,” he stated.
Emmanuel condemned what he called the party’s new practice of “robbing Peter to pay Paul,” particularly within Ondo State’s APC. He highlighted the decision to revoke his previous appointment as the pioneer Caretaker Chairman of the Akoko South-South Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and pointed to the poorly managed primary election as further proof of the party’s flawed leadership.
He concluded, “APC is now considered a weapon of poverty and misery for the masses, evident in the economic hardship that plagues the land. I firmly believe that politics is not just about winning elections; it is about bringing relief and the dividends of democracy to the people we represent.”
Earlier, Emmanuel had rejected an appointment as Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, expressing concerns about the legitimacy of the appointment and viewing it as a potential demotion. His resignation underscores the growing internal conflicts within the APC in Ondo State, which has been facing political challenges, including a recent crisis involving Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The deputy governor was reportedly asked to submit an undated resignation letter as part of a reconciliation effort brokered by President Bola Tinubu.
