A former senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu North Senatorial District, Ejike Eze, has delivered a scathing critique of the party, citing a lack of internal cohesion, injustice and marginalisation as reasons for his resignation.

Eze, a former diplomat and Senior Special Assistant on Protocols and Security to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, made the disclosure while briefing journalists in Enugu, declaring that his time in the APC yielded no meaningful benefit.

“I did not see fairness, justice and equity in the distribution of dividends of democracy in the party,” he said.

He accused the party leadership in Enugu State of sidelining long-standing members, particularly following the influx of defectors, alleging that the APC has failed to uphold democratic ideals.

According to him, “the people who defected from the PDP into the APC in Enugu State arm-twisted old members of the old APC and took all the executive positions in the party at the political wards, local governments and at the state level, leaving those of us who made huge financial sacrifices and other struggles for the party with nothing.”

Eze insisted that the party in the state has become deeply fractured, lacking the cohesion required to function as a credible democratic platform.

He recalled that in his resignation letter dated March 30, 2026, he had described developments within the party as “undemocratic and unacceptable”.

“This decision, though painful, was reached after a painstaking examination of what has become of APC in Enugu State in recent months, which I consider undemocratic and unacceptable.

“I remain committed to pursuing political aspirations firmly rooted in the tenets of democracy and the welfare, dignity and respect for my people,” the letter read in part.

Despite his exit, Eze maintained that his ambition to represent Enugu North Senatorial District at the National Assembly remains intact, disclosing that several political parties are already courting him.

He also raised concerns over what he described as the continued marginalisation of Enugu North in the state’s political structure, despite its population strength.

“I insist on justice, fairness and respect for my people of Enugu North Senatorial District in the distribution of dividends of democracy in Enugu State,” he said.

“For instance, the position of Deputy National Chairman, South, belongs to Enugu North Senatorial District, but Emma Enukwu gave it to another sen’torial zone, and instead of the governor correcting it, he gave it to his town’s man. Yet, they come here parading themselves as leaders. I seek an end to that in Enugu North Senatorial District.”

Eze further decried what he termed a breakdown in communication between political leaders and the people, warning that such a disconnect could have electoral consequences.

“I was not able to reach the Governor, the Chief of Staff, and a Minister of Enugu State extraction, despite the many hours I spent in his office. At my level and position, and I can’t reach them, what would then happen to ordinary people?

“If somebody like me, who served this country for 33 years, including the eight years I worked with a former President of this country, cannot communicate with our leaders in the APC, then who will? Then, they would come out and pose as people working with President Bola Tinubu. If they don’t take time, they will get the worst result from this region because they are not communicating with the people,” he lamented.

He declared that Enugu North, particularly the Nsukka axis, would no longer tolerate political imposition or exclusion in decision-making processes.

“Enugu North Senatorial District has come of age in the politics of this state. Anybody who must get anything from my people must respect and talk to us and equally accommodate everybody fairly and equitably.

“Those who seek our votes must discuss with us. We will no longer accept unfair sharing of political appointments and dividends of democracy. The stakeholders must decide who will represent us in any elective political positions,” he said.

Eze issued a stern warning ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the people would resist any attempt to manipulate the process.

“Nsukka people must be allowed to elect those who would represent them in leadership positions. Therefore, any form of imposition by outsiders on the people of Nsukka would not be tolerated. It will not be business as usual,” he stated. (Daily Sun)