Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has formally severed ties with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the political platform that shaped his career, citing deep-seated “irreconcilable differences” in a resignation letter dated July 14, 2025.
The letter, addressed to the PDP Chairman of Jada 1 Ward in Adamawa State, marks the end of a decades-long association that saw Atiku serve as Nigeria’s Vice President from 1999 to 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo and later contest the presidency in 2019 and 2023 as the party’s candidate. In his statement, the 78-year-old politician expressed gratitude for the opportunities provided by the PDP, describing his tenure and candidacies as “significant chapters” of his life, but lamented that the party’s current direction deviates from its original principles of unity and progress.
Atiku’s departure, confirmed across multiple news outlets on July 16, comes amid internal strife within the PDP, including leadership disputes and electoral setbacks, notably his losses to Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 and Bola Tinubu in 2023. The resignation has sparked speculation about his next move, with some suggesting a pivot to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as part of a broader opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
Political analysts note that his exit could weaken the PDP’s stronghold in the northeast, where he retains significant influence, while party officials have yet to issue a unified response, with some viewing it as a setback to reconciliation efforts. The move reflects a personal and strategic recalibration, though its impact on Nigeria’s opposition landscape remains uncertain.