Former President of the Nigerian Senate, David Mark has reportedly dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), officially aligning with a new opposition coalition determined to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
In a resignation letter dated June 27, 2025, and addressed to PDP leaders in Otukpo Ward 1 of Benue State, Mark announced his decision to leave the party. He is set to assume the role of National Chairman within the emerging coalition.
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“I have resolved to join the National Coalition of Political Opposition Movement in Nigeria, as part of the collective effort to rescue our nation and preserve our hard-earned democracy,” Mark wrote in the letter.
Reflecting on his longstanding dedication to the PDP, Mark recalled his loyalty during the party’s most challenging times.
“You may recall that over the years, I have remained firm and deeply committed to the ideals of the PDP. Even when nearly all stakeholders departed the party following our loss in the 2015 presidential election, I pledged to remain the last man standing,” he noted.
“I have worked steadfastly to rebuild, reconcile, and reposition the party, efforts which without sounding immodest helped restore the PDP to national relevance and made it once again a party of choice for many Nigerians.”
However, he expressed disappointment over the party’s deepening internal strife and unresolved leadership crises, saying it had diminished the PDP’s standing.
“Recent events marked by deepening divisions, persistent leadership crisis, and irreconcilable differences have reduced the party to a shadow of its former self, subjecting it to public ridicule,” Mark stated.
Mark’s departure follows a high-level strategy meeting held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, where he joined other political leaders—including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar—to endorse the formation of the new coalition. During the gathering, attendees reached a consensus to fully support the alliance and urged all members of the PDP to merge their political bases with the new movement.
“The meeting encourages all well-meaning PDP members and other patriotic Nigerians to join the coalition,” a communiqué issued after the session read.
The coalition is adopting the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its operational platform, with an official unveiling scheduled for Wednesday, July 2, 2025.
Prominent figures who attended the meeting in Abuja included Atiku Abubakar, David Mark, ex-Governors Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), and former PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus.
Beyond the PDP, key players from other political backgrounds are also backing the coalition. These include former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and ex-Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
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