In a dramatic turn of events, former Vice‑President of Nigeria (1999–2007) His Excellency Waziri Atiku Abubakar, and twice presidential candidate on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform, has formally resigned from the party he helped establish in 1998.
A resignation letter dated Monday, July 14, 2025 according to news reported by The Nation Nigeria, The cable and other news sources, disclosed the letter addressed to the PDP Ward Chairman in Jada 1, Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State, was publicly shared Wednesday through X formerly Twitter by Atiku’s Special Assistant on Media. In it, he stated:
“I am writing to formally resign my membership from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect…
As a founding father of this esteemed party, it is indeed heartbreaking for me to make this decision…
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…
It is with a heavy heart that I resign, recognising the irreconcilable differences that have emerged… I wish the party and its leadership all the best in the future.”
Atiku’s announcement comes amid his active engagement in forming the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition—a unified opposition bloc gearing up for the 2027 general elections
The resignation aligns with Atiku’s growing role in the newly chartered ADC coalition, which includes notable opposition figures such as former Governor of Anambra State & Labour Party presidential candidate in 2023 election Mr. Peter Obi, Former Governor of Rivers State Rt.Hon Rotimi Amaechi, Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir Elrufai, former Senate President Senator David Mark, former Governor of Osun State/former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola and others. Atiku cited “irreconcilable differences” and divergence from PDP’s founding values as the tipping point
This marks Atiku’s departure from the PDP again since its founding in 1998. His first exit was in 2006 , followed by another in 2014 to the All Progressives Congress (APC) which took over ruling power in 2015 after defeating Former President Goodluck Jonathan during the Presidential election ending PDP ruling from 1999 to 2015. He returned to the PDP in 2017 and won the party ticket ahead of 2019 presidential election in Nigeria. His latest resignation signals a new strategic direction focused on coalition-building ahead of the 2027 elections
As a known presidential contender, Atiku’s departure has serious implications for the PDP’s internal cohesion and the broader opposition landscape. It remains to be seen whether this intensifies the formation of a credible alternative to the ruling APC in the next national polls
During the burial of the former President of Nigeria General Muhamdu Buhari, Atiku Abubakar, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other influential people in the country were all seen in Daura, Katisina State to pay their last respect to the former military head of state and two-term democratically elected president of Nigeria.
Stay tuned for further updates on his next political moves and how this shift reshapes Nigeria’s election dynamics.