Nigeria Opposition Leader Atiku Abubakar Departs from Former Ruling PDP Party
Abubakar Atiku, the leader of Nigeria’s opposition, has made a notable decision by resigning from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the political organization under which he sought the presidency in past elections without success.
In a poignant letter to the party’s leadership, Atiku expressed his concerns about the party’s departure from its core values.
“With a heavy heart, I resign, recognizing the irreconcilable differences that have emerged,” he remarked.
He expressed appreciation for the significant experience he gained while serving two full terms as Nigeria’s vice president from 1999 to 2007 and for his candidacy in both the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections.
The PDP boasts a legacy of sixteen years of governance in Nigeria. Acknowledging an urgent need for change, Atiku has collaborated with other opposition figures to establish a new political coalition named the Africa Democratic Congress. This coalition is set to contest President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming elections slated for 2027.
This emerging coalition brings together Atiku and Peter Obi, both of whom finished as runners-up in recent presidential contests, alongside former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Comprising notable former lawmakers and governors from the ruling party, this alliance signifies a crucial juncture in Nigerian politics. It echoes the influential coalition that successfully removed the PDP from power in 2015, bringing an end to its sixteen-year reign. As political dynamics evolve, this new partnership seeks to instill hope and drive meaningful change for Nigerians.
