Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has cited a divergence from the PDP’s foundational principles as his reason for leaving the party.
According to Persecondnews, this resignation is a strategic move as Abubakar has joined a coalition under the Alliance Democratic Congress (ADC), in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
His resignation was formalized in a letter dated Monday, July 14, 2025, and addressed to the party’s Chairman in Jada 1 Ward, Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The copy of the letter was shared on X by his Special Assistant on Media, Abdul Rasheeth, on Wednesday.
The letter reads: “I am writing to formally resign my membership from the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) with immediate effect. I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for the opportunities I have been given by the party.
“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, recognising the irreconcilable differences that have emerged.
“I wish the party and its leadership all the best in the future. Thank you once again for the opportunities and support.”
Persecondnews recalls that Atiku Abubakar’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, had previously dismissed rumors of his defection on April 4th.
Ibe categorically stated that claims of the former Vice President leaving the PDP for another party to pursue his 2027 presidential ambitions were “falsehoods and a politically motivated smear campaign.”
At that time, Ibe emphasized his boss remained a “committed, genuine and loyal member of the party.”
The statement reads: “We ordinarily would not waste words on faceless social media platforms like the so-called Adamawa Happenings. However, in light of inquiries from concerned Nigerians and credible members of the press, we are compelled to set the record straight:
“His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria and Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has not — we repeat, has not — resigned from the PDP. He remains a steadfast, bonafide, and loyal member of the party.
“The source of this baseless rumour is a Facebook page peddling falsehoods, evidently orchestrated by desperate political operatives with nothing but mischief and confusion on their agenda.
“It is a calculated attempt to mislead the public and sow discord among the millions of Nigerians who look to Atiku Abubakar for direction and leadership.”
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