A political tremor has struck the landscape of Adamawa State as Chief Maurice Vunobolki, PhD, FCA, dramatically announced his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing deep-rooted concerns over alleged manipulation, lack of transparency, and the erosion of internal democracy within the party.
In a strongly worded press statement released Tuesday, April 14, 2026, Vunobolki declared what he described as the beginning of a “New Dawn,” signaling not just a personal political shift, but a potential realignment that could reshape the dynamics ahead of the state’s forthcoming party congresses and electoral contests.
Vunobolki recounted his recent political journey, noting that his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC on March 23, 2026, was anchored on assurances of fairness, equity, and a commitment to democratic ideals.
However, he lamented that those promises have since been “grossly undermined,” alleging that emerging developments within both the party structure and government circles point to a deliberate effort to sideline genuine democratic participation.
At the heart of his grievance is the controversial framework for the upcoming party congresses—reportedly engineered by a committee constituted under the influence of the state government. According to him, the process has been skewed to favor certain aspirants, effectively shutting out others and compromising the credibility of the primaries.
Drawing parallels with his past political experience, Vunobolki revisited the 2019 senatorial primaries, where he allegedly spent ₦20 million on nomination forms, only for the process to be abruptly altered in favor of incumbents without explanation.
“That episode,” he implied, “was not an isolated incident but a precursor to a troubling pattern now resurfacing with renewed intensity.”
In perhaps the most explosive part of his statement, Vunobolki alleged credible evidence of irregular membership registrations, including the unauthorized use of citizens’ National Identification Numbers (NINs) to inflate membership figures in strategic areas such as Yola North.
He further accused certain elements within the party of orchestrating coordinated efforts to manipulate internal processes, warning that such practices threaten the very foundation of democratic participation.
Positioning himself as a defender of democratic ideals, Vunobolki warned against what he described as a dangerous drift toward imposition and “manufactured consensus,” rather than transparent electoral competition.
“As a long-standing participant in Nigeria’s political space, I recognize the signs,” he stated, stressing that democracy can only thrive where fairness and inclusiveness are upheld.
Following what he described as extensive consultations with stakeholders across Adamawa’s 21 Local Government Areas, Vunobolki formally tendered his resignation from the APC, effective immediately.
In a bold and strategic move, he also called on his loyal supporters to withdraw their membership from the party, urging them to remain calm and await further directives on the next political platform.
In a message laced with conviction and philosophical undertones, Vunobolki emphasized that true leadership is divinely ordained and cannot be sustained through manipulation.
“History has shown that being in a ruling party does not guarantee victory where justice and fairness are absent,” he asserted.
He also challenged fellow aspirants to act decisively in defense of democratic principles, warning that the window for meaningful action may be closing.
With this high-profile resignation, political observers say the stage is set for a major shake-up in Adamawa’s political arena. Vunobolki’s next move—and the platform he eventually aligns with—could significantly influence the balance of power in the state.
For now, his declaration of a “New Dawn” has left both supporters and opponents watching closely, as the countdown to the next phase of political maneuvering begins.
“Stay calm, focused, and united — the journey continues.” – Vunobolki
PIONEER NEWS 