Atiku’s Exit from PDP Marks End of an Era – Youth Support Group Declares

A pro-Atiku support group, Nigerian Youths for Atiku (NYFA), has described the resignation of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a watershed moment in Nigeria’s political landscape, marking what it called “the end of an era” for the former ruling party.

Speaking via a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday, the group’s Director General, Mr Dare Dada, said Atiku’s departure had severely weakened the political and electoral structure of the PDP.

He noted that the former vice president’s influence and followership, spanning the north and south, represented a critical pillar of the party’s strength.

Atiku, who was PDP’s presidential candidate in both the 2019 and 2023 general elections, announced his resignation from the party on Wednesday, citing irreconcilable differences and the party’s internal dysfunction as his reasons for leaving.

Although Atiku is yet to officially declare his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the coalition of opposition forces he leads recently adopted the party as their new platform ahead of the 2027 general elections. NYFA, which had operated under a cross-party framework, has now instructed its over 1.5 million members nationwide to resign from PDP and begin registration with the ADC.

Reacting to these developments, Mr Dada said:

“The resignation of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and other top PDP figures, and their movement towards ADC, signifies the effective collapse of the PDP as a major political force. The party has lost one of its most strategic assets and unifying figures.”

Dada added that Atiku had long served as the stabilising backbone of the PDP, especially in mobilising youth, women, and professional groups. His exit, according to Dada, had decimated the morale and cohesion within the party’s ranks.

“Membership of Nigerian Youths for Atiku cuts across multiple political parties including PDP, NNPP, and LP. We also have many non-partisan members drawn from diverse professional sectors. All of them have now been directed to register with the ADC,” he revealed.

The group’s leadership, including its President and Founder Prof. Gold Emmanuel, recently resigned from PDP in what Dada described as a collective decision made “in the interest of Nigeria’s democratic future.”

He continued:

“We are committed to good governance, democratic accountability, and transparent leadership. Preventing Nigeria from degenerating into a one-party state or civil dictatorship demands collective action from all patriotic Nigerians.”

NYFA reiterated its confidence in Atiku’s political prospects, stating that efforts were already underway to mobilise over three million votes in his favour ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Dada concluded by calling on Nigerians to remain united in confronting the nation’s pressing challenges, including hunger, poverty, and insecurity.

“This is a turning point in our political history. The future of Nigeria depends on our ability to mobilise responsibly for leadership that truly serves the people,” he said.