2023: Former National Secretary dumps APC for NNPP

The immediate past National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Akpanudoedehe, has announced his resignation from the ruling party and subsequently joined the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Mr Akpanudoedehe tendered his resignation letter, dated June 4, to the APC Chairman in his ward, Offot Ward 6, Uyo.

The former Secretary was involved in a supremacy battle with the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, over the control of the APC structure in Akwa Ibom state.

The faction loyal to Mr Akpabio, a few days ago, outmanoeuvred Mr Akpanudoedehe and got Akanimo Udofia, a man who joined the APC in less than a month, to be elected the 2023 governorship candidate of the party in Akwa Ibom.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), however, did not monitor the primary that produced Mr Udofia hence refused to recognise the candidate

“The decision to part ways with the APC is a tough one,” Mr Akpanudoedehe, a former Senator, said in his resignation letter.

“But leadership entails adherence to the wishes of the vast majority of associates, allies and supporters who have shown fidelity over time and have now witnessed the obduracy the APC is handling the candidate selection processes in Akwa Ibom State,” he said.

He said, “Our greater goal of providing service to the people of our dear state remains sacrosanct.”

Mr Akpanudoedehe was a former member of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria. His resignation a major for the ruling party in the state.