Adamawa: APC governorship aspirant leaves the party two months after joining

Barely two months after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress APC in Adamawa State, in solidarity with Governor Fintiri, and two weeks after officially declaring his intention to contest for the APC gubernatorial seat, Maurice Vunulvoki on Tuesday announced his exit from the party.

Speaking at a press conference in Yola, Vunovolki, the Adamawa State Coordinator of the FGN/World Bank North East Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project, attributed his decision to the party’s failure to uphold the principles of equity, fairness and internal democracy promised to them before joining the party.

He noted that a committee was recently set up by the Governor to produce a structure for the ongoing party congresses and had as its members government-favored aspirants for certain elective political offices and these favorite aspirants had clinically manipulated the structure to favor their chances.

He said: “Recent events within the party and within the Adamawa state government circle have further strengthened these concerns.

“There are credible and clear indications of irregular registrations of members using NINs without their consent, for the purpose of having a large voting population in Yola North and coordinating efforts to unfairly influence the internal process.”

The gubernatorial candidate also stressed that as a long-time participant in Nigeria’s political space, he recognizes the signs of a system that is leaning towards imposition rather than democratic choices.

He added that there is an increasing likelihood that the decision will be made through a manipulated consensus rather than through a transparent and credible process.

According to him, after extensive consultations with stakeholders across the State, he has no option but to announce his resignation from APC with effect from yesterday, Monday, April 13, to enable him pursue his aspiration under a more credible and democratic platform where transparency, fairness and equal opportunities would be ensured.

He urged his supporters in the 21 local governments in the state to also withdraw their membership of the APC and await further directions.