ATIKU RESIGNS FROM PDP, CITES PARTY’S DEVIATION FROM FOUNDING PRINCIPLES

Abuja, Nigeria – Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has formally resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), marking the end of a decades-long association with the opposition party he co-founded. In a letter dated July 14, 2025, addressed to the PDP Chairman in Jada 1 Ward, Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Atiku stated that his resignation takes immediate effect.

Atiku, who served as Vice President from 1999 to 2007 and was a two-time presidential candidate under the PDP, expressed deep gratitude for the opportunities he received from the party. However, he cited irreconcilable differences and a deviation from the party’s founding principles as the reasons for his departure.

The decision to leave the PDP is not new for Atiku, as this marks the third time he has resigned from the party. His previous resignations were in 2006 and 2014, when he defected to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and later joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Atiku’s resignation letter conveyed a sense of heartbreak, but also emphasized the necessity of parting ways due to the party’s current trajectory. “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,” he wrote.

The former Vice President’s departure from the PDP comes amid growing speculation about his involvement in a new opposition coalition, the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Atiku has been part of a coalition that includes other prominent figures such as Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, David Mark, and Rotimi Amaechi.

Atiku’s resignation is likely to trigger a wave of realignments within the opposition, especially among PDP loyalists and coalition partners. The move also raises questions about his future political ambitions and whether he will contest the presidency once again.

The PDP has yet to issue an official response to Atiku’s resignation. However, the party’s reaction will be crucial in determining the impact of his departure on the party’s dynamics.

Atiku’s decision to leave the PDP marks a significant chapter in his long political journey, underscoring his complex relationship with the party he helped build. His departure signals deeper divisions within the Nigerian political landscape.

As Atiku embarks on a new political journey, his next moves will be closely watched by political analysts and stakeholders. Will he contest the presidency under the ADC banner, or will he chart a different course? Only time will tell.

Atiku’s resignation from the PDP has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political circles, with many speculating about the implications for the 2027 general elections.