In a move that has rattled Nigeria’s political establishment, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ending a long and tumultuous relationship with the party he once led into multiple presidential elections.
In a resignation letter dated July 14, 2025, addressed to the PDP chairman of Jada 1 Ward in Adamawa State, Atiku cited irreconcilable differences and a loss of confidence in the party’s ability to offer credible opposition and uphold its founding principles.
Sources close to the former VP confirm that Atiku is set to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a rising third-force platform now central to a new coalition of opposition elements gearing up to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
This development marks one of the most consequential political realignments since 2015 and signals Atiku’s renewed ambition to contest the presidency one last time—possibly his final bid in a decades-long quest for Aso Rock.
Insiders say consultations have reached an advanced stage with leaders of the ADC, and negotiations are underway to merge structures across several states in preparation for a nationwide campaign.
Political analysts describe the move as a bold gamble—trading the expansive, albeit fragmented, PDP structure for a leaner, more flexible coalition under the ADC umbrella. “Atiku is trying to reinvent himself yet again. This is about legacy now, not just politics,” one analyst noted.
Meanwhile, panic has reportedly gripped the leadership of the PDP, with top chieftains calling emergency meetings to assess the damage and forestall further defections.
As 2027 draws near, Atiku’s defection sets the stage for a dramatic showdown. With growing economic discontent and political uncertainty, the race is wide open—and Atiku seems determined to write a new chapter.