Atiku resigns from PDP, cites ilirreconcilable differences with party leadership

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ending decades of affiliation with the party he helped to found.

In a resignation letter obtained by Vanguard and confirmed by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku said the decision was painful but necessary given the current state of affairs within the PDP.

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

He expressed deep gratitude for the roles and opportunities he held within the party, including serving as Vice President of Nigeria for two terms and contesting as the PDP’s presidential candidate twice.

“At a time when our party needs to be unified, principled, and in tune with the aspirations of Nigerians, I believe it has lost its direction. It is with a heavy heart that I resign, recognizing the irreconcilable differences that have emerged,” he added.

The move comes just three weeks after Atiku reportedly entered into a coalition with several political heavyweights under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai.

The coalition aims to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election, signaling a major realignment ahead of the next political cycle.

Atiku concluded his letter by wishing the PDP leadership success in its future endeavors.