Atiku Abubakar Resigns from PDP, Cites Party’s Departure from Founding Ideals
Nigeria’s former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has formally ended his decades-long association with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a political platform he helped establish and through which he twice sought the presidency.
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In a resignation letter dated July 14, 2025, addressed to the Chairman of PDP in Jada 1 Ward, Jada Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Atiku pointed to “irreconcilable differences” and the party’s perceived departure from its foundational principles as reasons for his decision.
“It is with a heavy heart that I resign, recognizing the irreconcilable differences that have emerged,” Atiku wrote, expressing appreciation for the roles and opportunities the party had afforded him over the years — notably his tenure as Nigeria’s Vice President from 1999 to 2007 and his multiple presidential candidacies under its banner.
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He described his decision as painful, given his role as one of the PDP’s founding fathers, but emphasized that the current trajectory of the party no longer aligns with the ideals it was built upon.
> “As a founding father of this esteemed party, it is heartbreaking for me to make this decision,” Atiku noted, while wishing the PDP leadership success in their future political endeavours.
The resignation letter was officially acknowledged by the ward’s leadership on July 14, 2025, marking a significant moment in the nation’s political landscape, particularly with the 2027 general elections fast approaching.
Speculation Over Next Move
Atiku’s resignation has already sparked widespread speculation about his future political plans. Analysts are watching keenly for signs of alignment with another major political force or the potential launch of a new political movement ahead of 2027.
Throughout Nigeria’s democratic evolution since 1999, Atiku has remained a prominent and often polarizing figure. His next steps are expected to influence both the opposition’s recalibration and the broader contest for Nigeria’s political future.