Political tension is brewing in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State as the Vice Chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Idi Yakubu, has officially resigned from both his position and the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing gross marginalization and verbal abuse by the council chairman, Hon. Chris Agbeh.
Yakubu, in a strongly worded resignation letter, accused the chairman of sidelining him in critical decision-making processes and refusing to reimburse personal funds used for official duties, including the payment of nomination forms and the renovation of his office. According to him, the repeated mistreatment and lack of respect made his position untenable.
“My Dear Party Men and People of Ogoja Local Government, it is with a heavy heart that I inform you of my decision to resign my membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC),” Yakubu declared, adding that the political environment had become toxic and unsupportive.
Despite stepping away from the APC, the former vice chairman expressed his unwavering support for the administration of Governor Bassey Edet Otu, promising to continue working for the success of the governor’s vision for Cross River State, irrespective of political party lines.
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The resignation has sent shockwaves through the APC in Cross River, drawing reactions from top political figures. Among them is the state’s Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, who hails from Mbube in Ogoja and was elected on the same APC platform.
Taking to Facebook to voice his concerns, Odey expressed disappointment over the escalating political crisis in Ogoja, urging all aggrieved parties to prioritize unity and peace. He noted that while he is disheartened by the resignation, efforts are underway to address the internal conflicts and rebuild trust within the party.
The fallout from Yakubu’s resignation comes at a critical time for the APC in Cross River as the party navigates internal fractures and prepares for upcoming elections. The incident has also intensified scrutiny on the leadership style of Hon. Chris Agbeh, with party members and observers questioning the chairman’s management of local government affairs.
As political realignments begin to take shape, all eyes are now on Ogoja to see how this development could impact the local and state political dynamics in the coming months.