Finally, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has officially resigned membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, further weakening the country’s main opposition party.
But the move by the former Vice President didn’t come as a surprise to most political observers. They believe that since Atiku has identified with the coalition political association, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, which has applied for registration to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as a political party, it was just a matter of time before he announces his exit from the PDP, a party he helped build.
In a move that signifies a major rupture in Nigeria’s opposition landscape, Atiku sent his letter of resignation to the PDP ward chairman of his ward-Jada Ward 1 in Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State, declaring his immediate exit from the party he co-founded.
The letter, dated Monday, July 14, 2025, but released Wednesday, July 16, the former Vice President wrote:
“I am writing to formally resign my membership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect.
“It is indeed heartbreaking for me to make this decision,” he added, reflecting on his long-standing relationship with the party.
Atiku, who served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 1999 to 2007 and was the PDP’s presidential candidate in 2019 and 2023, attributed his resignation to what he described as the party’s deviation from its original values.
He said: “I find it necessary to part ways due to the current trajectory the party has taken, which I believe diverges from the foundational principles we stood for.
“I resign, recognising the irreconcilable differences that have emerged.”
Despite his decision to quit PDP, Atiku extended his gratitude to the party, saying: “Serving two full terms as Vice President of Nigeria and being a presidential candidate twice has been one of the most significant chapters of my life. I wish the party and its leadership all the best in the future.”
