Several high-profile politicians and entrepreneurs have resigned their membership from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State, following the finalisation of a consensus arrangement for various political offices ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The resignations came shortly after Governor Francis Nwifuru convened a final stakeholders’ meeting that produced consensus aspirants for the party. The arrangement was finalised in separate meetings held on 28 April and 2 May.

Among those who resigned from the APC are prominent entrepreneurs Christian Nwali and Chibuike Orogwu, as well as politician Chidiebere Ofoke, an ally of Governor Nwifuru. Mr Nwali had earlier indicated interest in the Ebonyi Central District race, while Mr Orogwu was seeking the APC ticket for the Ezza South and Ikwo Federal Constituency seat. Mr Ofoke had recently declared interest in contesting for the Abakaliki South State Constituency seat.

In their respective resignation letters, the politicians cited “personal reasons” for their decisions. However, sources indicate that they quit the party after being disfavoured by the consensus arrangement. Mr Orogwu, an ally of Minister of Works Dave Umahi, submitted his resignation in a letter dated 12 March to the chairperson of his Amudo/Okoffia Ward.

“I, Orogwu Zion-Peter Chilbuike of Amudo Okofia Ward, Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State hereby resign my membership of the All Progressives Congress and request that my name be deleted from the membership register of the party,” Mr Orogwu wrote.

Similarly, Mr Nwali announced his resignation via a letter dated 1 May to the chairperson of his Ekpelu Ward, stating: “I write to formally tender my resignation as a member of the All Progressives Congress, effective immediately. This decision is personal and was made after careful reflection.”

Chikaodili Ojimba, a top APC member who was seeking the party’s ticket for the Ebonyi North District seat, reportedly resigned in May after the consensus arrangement favoured the incumbent senator, Onyekachi Ebonyi. Sources said stakeholders dropped Mr Ojimba because he hails from the Izzi Axis, the same local government area as Governor Nwifuru. He has since moved to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to pursue his senatorial ambition.

Additionally, entrepreneur Tochukwu Ogalagu resigned from the APC in a letter dated 2 April.

Following the consensus arrangement, speculation emerged of a fallout between Governor Nwifuru and former Governor Dave Umahi, now Minister of Works, over the alleged disfavouring of Mr Umahi’s allies. Governor Nwifuru has refuted the speculation, describing it as baseless.

“This speculation in some sections of the media is from those fanning the embers of discord. We are rather working together for the progress of the party in the state,” a statement issued on 2 May by the governor’s spokesperson, Monday Uzor, read.

The governor acknowledged that there were “outstanding issues” regarding the consensus arrangement but assured they would be resolved amicably.

“I will meet all the aspirants and they would be treated equally as agreed by the stakeholders. I enjoin all stakeholders, aspirants and party faithful to work together and make sacrifices where needed in the interest of the party,” the statement added.

In a related development, Bernard Odoh, the 2023 governorship candidate of APGA in Ebonyi State, tendered his resignation from the party. Mr Odoh, who was sacked as vice-chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka in 2024 over a disputed professorship, said in a letter dated 4 May that his decision followed a “considered reflection” of activities within the party.

“In recent times, I have not been sufficiently abreast of developments within the party at the level required of a member of its Board of Trustees,” he wrote, adding that the resignation would allow for “institutional coherence and effective stewardship.”