Pius Nsabe
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sent ripples across Nigeria’s political landscape. While some interpret it as a seismic event ahead of the 2027 general elections, others, including PDP insiders, have dismissed the move as “good riddance to bad rubbish.”
Atiku announced his resignation on Wednesday in a letter dated July 14, 2025, addressed to the chairman of his Jada 1 Ward in Adamawa State. In the letter, Atiku cited “irreconcilable differences” and a departure from the PDP’s founding principles as reasons for his decision. “I am writing to formally resign my membership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect. I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunities I have had as Vice President and presidential candidate. However, I find it necessary to part ways due to the current trajectory the party has taken, which diverges from our foundational principles,” the letter read.
Atiku’s exit comes amid strong speculation that he will pursue the presidency under an African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led coalition. This is hardly surprising. Atiku has earned a reputation as Nigeria’s most consistent presidential aspirant, contesting under multiple parties since 1993. But this is not his first breakup with the PDP. In fact, PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, reminded Nigerians that this is Atiku’s fourth exit. In 2006, he left the PDP as sitting Vice President under Olusegun Obasanjo, defecting to the Action Congress (AC) to run for president. In 2011, he left after losing the PDP ticket to Goodluck Jonathan, briefly flirting with the opposition. In 2014, he defected alongside four governors to the All Progressives Congress (APC), only to return later. And now in 2025, he has exited once again.
“This is the fourth time. If you recall, in 2006 he left as Vice President to join AC. In 2014, he bolted with five governors, and now he has left again,” Abdullahi said on Thursday. The PDP leadership insists Atiku’s departure will not weaken the party. Abdullahi was blunt: “We are not losing any sleep. Good riddance to bad rubbish. The PDP is an institution, not an individual. Anyone who leaves will eventually come back.”
However, behind this confident front lies a party grappling with deep fractures. The PDP’s loss in 2023 was catastrophic, and many blame Atiku for failing to unite the party. His inability to manage the defection of Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and the five governors led by Nyesom Wike weakened his presidential campaign. “He could not galvanize the needed support, and now he is leaving because he knows getting our ticket in 2027 will be difficult,” Abdullahi added.
Atiku’s exit is not just about grievances; it is a calculated political move. His rumored alliance with the ADC signals the birth of a potential “Third Force” to challenge the dominance of the ruling APC and a weakened PDP. But will this strategy work? Nigeria’s political history suggests otherwise. Coalition parties often struggle with ideological cohesion and leadership tussles. Abdullahi even mocked the idea, saying: “This coalition is dead on arrival because of the ambitions of those involved.”
Still, Atiku is not a politician to underestimate. He retains significant influence in the North and among political elites, and his ability to mobilize resources remains unmatched. Atiku’s resignation raises critical questions for the PDP: Can the party survive without its most prominent figure? Can it reinvent itself to remain relevant in 2027? Or will it implode under the weight of factional battles? For now, the PDP leadership is banking on its institutional longevity. “We have survived presidents tearing their membership cards. We will survive Atiku,” Abdullahi boasted.
Atiku’s exit underscores the fluid nature of Nigeria’s party system, where ideology takes a back seat to ambition. Political parties have become vehicles for personal interest, and defections are part of the game. As 2027 approaches, one thing is certain: Atiku will run again. Whether as a kingmaker or a candidate, he will shape the race. The only question is whether Nigerians, tired of recycled candidates, will give him another shot. For the PDP, the challenge is existential: How to rebuild a fractured house before it collapses completely. For Atiku, it is one last throw of the dice in a long and restless quest for Aso Rock.