Atiku Abubakar Resigns from PDP, Cites Party’s Shift from Founding Principles

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has formally resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing a deviation from the party’s founding ideals as the reason for his departure.

In a resignation letter dated July 14, 2025, and addressed to the PDP Chairman of his Ward in Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Atiku said the party has strayed from the values on which it was built, prompting his decision to leave.

“I am writing to formally resign my membership from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect,” Atiku stated in the letter he personally signed.

The former Vice President, who served two terms in office and twice contested for the presidency under the PDP, expressed gratitude for the opportunities the party provided throughout his political career.

“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,” he wrote. “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.”

Atiku described the decision as “heartbreaking” but said it had become unavoidable due to “irreconcilable differences” with the current direction of the party’s leadership.

The development comes amid Atiku’s increasing involvement in an emerging opposition coalition, although he has not publicly declared his next political move.

As one of the founding fathers of the PDP, Atiku’s exit is seen as a major blow to the party, especially as the 2027 general elections draw closer. Political observers believe his resignation may significantly reshape the dynamics of the opposition and intensify efforts to form a formidable front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Neither the PDP national leadership nor key stakeholders in the party have issued a formal response to Atiku’s exit at the time of this report.