A former senior aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, has publicly expressed profound disillusionment with Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing his recent exclusion from the party’s national leadership as the final blow to his confidence.
Obono-Obla, who served as chairman of the Special Presidential Panel on Recovery of Public Property, made his feelings known in a statement titled ‘Reflections on My Party Journey,’ issued in Calabar. His comments follow the APC’s national convention where he sought but was denied two key positions. Initially, he announced his bid for National Secretary but was informed that existing internal zoning arrangements remained in effect, leading to the return of the incumbent. Subsequently, he declared interest in the role of National Publicity Secretary, only to be blocked again.
In his statement, Obono-Obla stated that his unwavering commitment to the APC since 2013 has been severely undermined. He recalled that the party had previously denied him a senatorial candidacy ahead of the 2023 elections, a setback he accepted without public complaint. Despite this, he affirmed his energetic support for the party’s success in both national and state-level contests last year.
“Day after day, I dedicated myself to promoting, propagating, and defending the Party and its government across social, traditional, and new media,” he wrote. He alleged that despite his record, recently joined party members are actively working to sideline long-standing “foundation members,” a process he claimed is occurring with leadership endorsement.
Obono-Obla framed his experience as symptomatic of a broader struggle for relevance within the APC, though he maintained his personal principles remain intact. He called for deep reflection on the party’s direction while leaving his political future open, stating the path ahead must be chosen “with clarity and courage.”
His account provides a stark insider view of internal party dynamics ahead of future elections. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between founding members and newer influences within the APC, and may signal potential defections or reduced grassroots mobilization. The party has not publicly responded to his specific allegations regarding the convention processes or his treatment.
Analysts note that the loss of experienced, loyal figures like Obono-Obla—a prominent figure from the South-South region—could pose challenges for the APC’s cohesion and its strategy for maintaining broad national support. His public dissent underscores the intense competition and perceived injustices that can follow internal party elections, a common friction point in Nigeria’s political landscape.
