AWKA, Nigeria — The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State is facing an internal collapse as key officials and members continue to tender resignation letters following the disputed gubernatorial primary election of April 5, 2025.
The outcome of the exercise, which produced Mr Nicholas Ukachukwu as the party’s candidate, has sparked widespread outrage and triggered a wave of defections.
Dozens of resignation letters have emerged from across the state, each underscoring frustration with what former stakeholders describe as a betrayal of the party’s foundational values and democratic procedures.
Among those who resigned is Ibe Kenneth, a founding member and chairman of the party in Nteje Ward 5, Oyi Local Government Area.
In his letter dated April 11, 2025, Kenneth described the process as a “fraudulent delegate congress election,” lamenting that he was excluded from the primary despite being a recognised party leader.
“I have come to the painful and sad conclusion that the APC Anambra State, of which I am a founding member, have deviated from original ideology and principles… As a chairman, I suppose to attend primary delegate… but I was denied,” Kenneth wrote.
Similarly, Hon. Innocent Chukwuebuka Nnubia, the 2023 APC State House of Assembly candidate for Ihiala LGA, resigned, citing “deep disappointment and disillusionment” with recent party decisions.
“Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from All Progressives Congress (APC)… due to my deep disappointment and disillusionment with the party’s recent actions and decisions,” Nnubia wrote in a letter dated April 11.
From Nnewi South, Dr. Charles Ebulue, a member of Osumenyi Ward 1, submitted a terse resignation letter on April 10, stating, “I wish to resign my position as a member of APC Party Osumenyi Ward 1. Thank you for your co-operation.”
Another notable resignation came from Obichukwu Nneli, Chairman of Aguleri Ward II, who cited “negative change” and betrayal during the primaries.
“We were made to believe we promise change in the positive way… but what we witnessed was negative change during the primaries,” he wrote.
Anthony Amechi Okeke, an APC stakeholder in Anambra East, also stepped down, aligning with his former principal, Sir Paul Chukwuma, who defected after failing to clinch the nomination.
“He has since joined another party, and I have chosen to follow suit in support of his endeavours,” Okeke said.
The resignations cut across various LGAs and wards, including Nimo, Aguleri, Oyi, Ihiala, and Nnewi South. In each case, members pointed to allegations of manipulated delegate lists, voter exclusion, and disregard for due process during the conduct of the primary.
“There are deliver of resignations in APC,” a member, Obi Trice, posted on social media. “98% of those who supervised this charade cannot win their polling units.”
The internal crisis erupted following the declaration of Mr Ukachukwu as the party’s candidate in an exercise condemned by leading aspirant Valentine Ozigbo as a “heist.”
Ozigbo, in a widely circulated statement, said he had filed a petition to the APC Gubernatorial Appeals Committee, alleging the primary violated party rules and democratic norms.
Despite growing internal unrest, the APC’s national leadership has yet to address the spiralling resignations or respond to Ozigbo’s petition.
Political observers say the silence may be damaging to the party’s credibility ahead of the November governorship election.
For now, the APC in Anambra appears to be haemorrhaging members faster than it can retain them — a crisis that could leave the party vulnerable in a high-stakes political contest.
