In a significant political development signaling ongoing realignments in Nigeria's opposition landscape, Princess Adaku Ogbu Aguocha, widely known as Ada Ogbu, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, has formally resigned her membership from the ruling party after 14 years.
The resignation, detailed in a letter dated December 30, 2025, and addressed to the APC Caretaker Ward Chairman of Nara Ward I in Nkanu East Local Government Area, comes at a pivotal moment. It coincides with the formal defection of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on December 31, 2025, in Enugu.
Ada Ogbu, a former APC senatorial candidate for Enugu East Senatorial District and one of the party's most recognizable figures in the South-East, described her decision as deliberate and guided by "evolving realities." In her letter, she expressed gratitude for the opportunities and leadership experiences gained within the APC, emphasizing that the move followed extensive consultations with family, friends, and political associates.
She stated that the choice was not impulsive but a reassessment of how best to serve her constituents and the people of Enugu State.
While Ada Ogbu did not disclose her next political platform in the resignation letter, political observers and analysts have linked the timing to the burgeoning momentum around the ADC, now positioned as the primary vehicle for a broad opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Multiple reports highlight that her exit occurred on the eve of Peter Obi's public collection of his ADC membership card and official defection ceremony at Nike Lake Resort Hotel in Enugu.
This event drew high-profile figures, including senators and supporters from across the South-East, underscoring Enugu's symbolic importance as the region's historical political capital.
Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate who garnered significant support particularly in the South-East, officially announced his switch to the ADC during the ceremony on December 31, 2025.
He framed the move as essential for transforming and rescuing Nigeria, aligning with a coalition that includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other opposition heavyweights.
The defection has been described as a culmination of months of consultations, with Obi choosing Enugu over his home state of Anambra to make a broader regional statement.
Leaders of the Obidient Movement, Obi's grassroots support base, explained that the venue adds "historical solidity" when the East seeks to assert influence.
Ada Ogbu's resignation has fueled intense speculation about a potential wave of defections from the APC in Enugu, a state historically resistant to the ruling party.
Enugu has long been viewed as challenging terrain for the APC, with the party struggling for electoral relevance in the South-East zone.
Her departure is seen as adding weight to the ongoing political recalibration, potentially bolstering the ADC's efforts to consolidate opposition strength in the region.
As of December 31, 2025, Ada Ogbu and her camp have remained silent on future plans, with no public declaration of joining another party.
However, sources indicate high expectations for further announcements in the coming days, given the convergence of events.
This development occurs against the backdrop of broader shifts in Nigerian politics throughout 2025, where the ADC has emerged as a key opposition platform following the adoption by a coalition involving Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and others.
The party has attracted defections from various quarters, including former PDP and APC members, as efforts intensify to challenge the APC in 2027.
In Enugu specifically, recent months have seen movements such as former APC stakeholders defecting to the ADC, amid internal crises exacerbated by earlier high-profile shifts like Governor Peter Mbah's defection from PDP to APC.
Ada Ogbu's profile as a visible APC standard-bearer, particularly during her senatorial bid, makes her resignation particularly noteworthy.
She has been instrumental in attempts to build the party's presence in a region where it has faced significant hurdles.
Her exit reinforces perceptions of the APC's weakening foothold in the South-East, while highlighting the ADC's growing appeal as an alternative for politicians seeking a unified opposition front.
The timing with Peter Obi's defection has amplified discussions across Enugu's political circles.
Analysts note that Enugu's role as a symbolic terrain for opposition movements in the South-East positions such events as potential catalysts for further realignments.
The ADC, under its coalition framework, has positioned itself as a rescue mission for Nigeria, attracting figures disillusioned with both the ruling APC and fragmented opposition parties like the PDP and Labour Party.
As 2025 concludes, these movements underscore a fluid political environment, with defections and coalitions shaping the path to 2027.
Ada Ogbu's resignation stands out as one of the final major developments of the year in Enugu State, contributing to the narrative of an evolving opposition bloc centered around the ADC.
With Peter Obi's formal entry into the party completed, attention now turns to whether figures like Ada Ogbu will follow suit, potentially strengthening the coalition's grassroots and regional influence.
For now, the political landscape in Enugu and the broader South-East remains dynamic, with stakeholders closely monitoring the next steps in this unfolding realignment.
