In a move that has sent shockwaves across Nigeria’s political landscape, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has tendered his resignation from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) — the party he co-founded and represented as its presidential candidate in two consecutive general elections.
In a strongly worded resignation letter released on Wednesday, Atiku cited a deep disillusionment with the party’s current direction, saying it has strayed from its founding ideals of justice, inclusion, and internal democracy.
“It is indeed heartbreaking for me to make this decision,” Atiku wrote. “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.”
Atiku, who served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 1999 to 2007 and flew the PDP flag in the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections, said he was proud of his contributions but could no longer remain in a party that, in his view, had abandoned its core values.
“Serving two full terms as Vice President and contesting for the presidency twice under this platform has been one of the most meaningful periods of my life. But the differences between my values and the party’s direction are now irreconcilable.”
While he gave no immediate indication of his next political step, the timing of Atiku’s resignation is significant. It comes amid rumblings of discontent within the PDP and just two years to the 2027 general elections — a season that may now witness major realignments and the birth of new coalitions.
Political watchers see Atiku’s departure as a major blow to the PDP, which is already battling internal fragmentation and credibility challenges after recent electoral defeats and leadership tussles.
Atiku ended his letter with a note of gratitude to the party and its members, saying:
“I wish the Party and its leadership all the best in the future.”
As of press time, the PDP’s National Secretariat had not issued an official reaction to the news, but sources within the party say emergency meetings may be underway to manage the fallout.