Atiku Resigns From PDP

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has formally resigned from the party.

In a resignation letter obtained by Vanguard and confirmed by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, the former Vice President cited a growing disconnect between the current direction of the party and its founding principles as the reason for his exit.

The letter read in part:

“I am writing to formally resign my membership from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect.

“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. As a founding father of this esteemed Party, it is indeed heartbreaking for me to make this decision.

“However, 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, recognizing the irreconcilable differences that have emerged.”

Atiku thanked the PDP for the platform and support he enjoyed over the years and wished the party and its leadership well in the future.

The resignation comes just three weeks after the former vice president spearheaded the formation of a new political coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alongside key opposition figures, including Peter Obi of the Labour Party, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai.

The coalition, which political observers see as a “Third Force,” is positioning itself as a major challenger to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

Though the coalition is yet to unveil a formal presidential candidate, sources close to the group say it is committed to producing a unified front built on progressive values, youth inclusion, and anti-corruption reforms.