A former presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. SKC Ogbonnia, has announced his resignation from the ruling party, citing what he described as deepening failures in governance, lack of internal democracy, and a deliberate move towards a one-party state.
Ogbonnia, who hails from Ugbo in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, made his decision known in a resignation letter dated January 13, 2026, and addressed to the Ward Chairman of the APC in Owelli/Amoli/Ugbo/Ogugu Ward.
In the letter, Ogbonnia said his decision to quit the party followed “extensive consultation with my family, political allies, and a deep reflection on the current political realities in Nigeria and within the party.”
“I am writing to formally notify you of my decision to resign from my membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), effective immediately,” he stated.
The former aspirant, who said he was a founding member of the APC, expressed disappointment over what he described as the party’s deviation from its founding ideals of change and national development.
“I became a founding member of the APC with high hopes for positive change, progress, and the overall development of our dear nation. However, recent events and the party’s trajectory have made it untenable and unbearable to continue my membership,” Ogbonnia said.
He accused the APC-led Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of failing in critical areas of governance, particularly insecurity, poverty, and unemployment.
“The leadership of the party under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has failed to address critical issues like insecurity, poverty, and unemployment, which directly impact the future of our people and the teeming youths,” he said.
Ogbonnia also decried what he termed the absence of internal democracy within the party, alleging widespread imposition of leaders, marginalisation of loyal members, nepotism, and vendetta politics.
“The pervasive undemocratic practices, imposition of leaders, marginalization of loyal members, vendetta politics and acute nepotism have combined to abuse electoral rights and stifle internal participation and growth,” he noted.
He further accused the APC of working towards entrenching a one-party state in Nigeria.
“The party has aggressively pursued a one-party state by deploying underhand practices to stifle the opposition,” Ogbonnia alleged.
On youth inclusion, the former aspirant lamented what he described as the near absence of young people in key federal appointments.
“There is a significant absence of youth in key federal appointments, signaling a disregard for the future generation,” he said.
Ogbonnia also criticised the Federal Government’s handling of national security, alleging that Nigeria’s sovereignty had been compromised.
“Tinubu’s inhumane leadership, where he has remained nonchalant to severe security challenges ravaging the country, has compromised national sovereignty and made Nigeria vulnerable to neocolonial foreign military interventions,” he stated.
He strongly faulted alleged moves within the APC to endorse President Tinubu for a second term ahead of the 2027 general election, describing it as “a gross insult to the sensibilities of Nigerians.”
“The plot to re-nominate Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the presidential candidate of the APC for the 2027 polls is a gross insult to the sensibilities of Nigerians. This is a president who has not only failed in most critical areas of national development, but he is also irredeemable,” Ogbonnia said.
He further claimed that the president had lost public goodwill both locally and internationally.
“Mr. Tinubu has lost his voice with the Nigerian people and is treated as a political leper among our key allies, particularly the United States of America,” he added.
According to Ogbonnia, these issues convinced him that the APC no longer serves the interest of his community or the Nigerian state.
“I can no longer align or be associated with a political path that seems to undermine the very principles of true democracy and good governance Nigerians deserve,” he declared.
Despite his sharp criticism, the former aspirant expressed appreciation to the party leadership at all levels for the support he received during his presidential ambition in the 2019 electoral cycle.
“I thank the party leadership from the ward to the national level for the various levels of support when I sought the presidency under the APC during the 2019 electoral cycle. I wish them well in their future endeavors,” he said.
Ogbonnia confirmed that he had returned his APC membership card alongside the resignation letter for necessary action.
