Adamawa Politician Dumps APC, Cites Governor's Manipulation of Congresses

The political landscape in Adamawa State is once again in turmoil following the resignation of Chief Maurice Vunobolki from the All Progressives Congress (APC). Vunobolki's departure, announced at a press briefing in Yola, is a stark indictment of the internal democracy within the ruling party, particularly concerning the ongoing congresses. His accusations against Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, alleging manipulation and a betrayal of trust, resonate with a growing concern among party faithful about the fairness of the electoral processes.

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The committee set up by the governor to produce the framework for the ongoing party congresses was populated with members who are favoured aspirants for certain elective offices.

Vunobolki, a former governorship aspirant, claims that the committee tasked with organizing the party congresses is composed of individuals favored for specific elective positions. This, he argues, predetermines outcomes and undermines the principle of a level playing field. The allegations of irregular membership registrations and the misuse of National Identification Numbers (NINs) without consent are particularly disturbing. Such practices, if true, suggest a deliberate attempt to inflate the voting population in key areas like Yola North, thereby manipulating the internal party democracy ahead of primaries.

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There are credible and evidential indications of irregular membership registrations, including the use of people’s NINs without their consent.

The issue of automatic tickets being granted to incumbent senators, without clear explanation, further fuels the perception of unfairness. Vunobolki's personal experience from the 2019 elections, where he purchased nomination forms for ₦20 million only to see the process altered at the last minute, serves as a cautionary tale. He recalls how the imposition of candidates in that instance led to electoral failure, a pattern he fears is repeating itself.

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The incumbent senators have been granted automatic tickets without explanation or apology, and that the process for conducting primary elections was abruptly altered.

From the perspective of ThisDay, Vunobolki's resignation is not just a personal grievance but a symptom of deeper issues within the APC. The party's promise of transparency and internal democracy appears to be faltering under the weight of political expediency. The shift from direct primaries, as suggested by the new Electoral Act, towards what Vunobolki describes as 'manipulated consensus' is a worrying trend. His call for supporters to withdraw from the APC and await further direction signals a potential realignment of political forces in Adamawa State, highlighting the critical need for genuine democratic practices within political parties.

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The same pattern is playing out again, with decisions likely to be made through manipulated consensus rather than a transparent and credible process.