Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar yesterday announced his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the third time, citing “irreconcilable differences with the leadership.”
This latest move has triggered a wave of mixed reactions from former colleagues and other political figures, with many questioning its timing and underlying motivations.
Atiku stated that the party had “deviated from the foundational principles which made it a formidable platform.”
His exit was swiftly criticized by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who characterized Atiku’s departure as the party seeing “the back of a man holding it down.”
Governor Makinde expressed his belief that Atiku’s defection would not negatively impact PDP’s electoral fortunes.
However, one of Atiku’s associates, Umar Bello Jada, defended the move, stating that Atiku left the party because “it was no longer habitable for him.”
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), strongly chided Atiku for the timing of his defection, labeling it as a “lack of sensitivity.”
Keyamo highlighted that the resignation occurred during the seven-day national mourning period declared by the Federal Government in honor of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a post on his X handle, Keyamo described the timing as “clearly an attempt to draw the spotlight away from such a solemn occasion and direct it on yourself.”
He alleged that Atiku signed the resignation letter the morning after the former President’s death was announced.
“With the greatest respect to you, this clearly demonstrates that your obsession with your perennial presidential ambition knows no sympathy or empathy,” Keyimo wrote.
Keyamo also criticized Atiku for using the Coat of Arms of the Federal Government on his private and political communications, deeming the act both morally and legally wrong.
The PDP chairman in Atiku’s home state of Adamawa, Ahmed Shehu, a lawyer, stated that the local chapter would “not miss the ex-vice president.”
Notably, on Monday, Atiku’s newly announced political platform, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had issued a statement by its Interim National Chairman, David Mark, through his media aide Paul Mumeh, announcing the immediate suspension of all political activities at both national and state levels for the duration of the mourning period for the late former President Buhari.
Despite this, Atiku resigned from the PDP yesterday.
Governor Makinde, speaking during the 10th Coronation Colloquium of the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi in Akure, Ondo State capital, reiterated that Atiku’s exit was “not a dent on the PDP.”
He asserted that Atiku merely exercised his freedom of association by leaving the PDP, adding that “his membership of the party held the platform down.”
“Politics is a game of interest, and I don’t think that will make any dent on the PDP. The PDP is an institution,” Makinde stated.
“You have freedom of entrance and exit. But I think anyone who would hold PDP down, it is better for such an individual to just leave.”
The governor concluded by emphasising that the PDP would remain “stronger and firm as a party,” and that the ADC poses no threat to the opposition.
“I don’t see ADC as a threat to PDP. Players would come and go; governors would also come and go, the President would also come and go, but our country and state will remain.”
Adamawa PDP chairman, Shehu, said the PDP is too strong a party for the personal strengths of individual members to affect it significantly.
He said: “The former Vice President is a great asset for sure, but our party itself is a formidable one with remarkable presence across the country. So, we remain one big winning force.”
The chairman dispelled the rumour that the entire PDP structure in Jada Ward 1 had collapsed into the ADC.
Shehu said: “The PDP in Jada remains as it has long been, to the best of our knowledge.
“If the leaders and members of the PDP in that ward had gone out of the party with Atiku, they would have informed the party.”
PDP chieftain Prof. Tunde Olusunle, who teaches Creative Writing at the University of Abuja, said defection was a good option for Atiku.
Olusunle, who served as a Special Assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, said the defection would further weaken the PDP.
He said: “ADC is blossoming into a nationwide Tsunami, whose impact will be more far-reaching than what the Labour Party (LP) provided in the home-stretch of the 2023 polls.
“The game plan is to render the PDP, hitherto the most vibrant opposition party, from being able to challenge the APC in future contests.
“The short-sightedness of this coterie of characters assumed that the PDP is the most virile platform on which democratic interests can be pursued, but ADC is the game-changer which has taken the APC by surprise; what the ADC is bringing to bear on our politics is humongous.”
Lagos APC described the defection as “a predictable act of desperation and the final unravelling of a fragmented opposition.”
The Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, said in a statement that “Atiku’s latest political move is a clear confirmation of the internal chaos and irrelevance that now define the PDP.”
He added: “Atiku’s departure from the PDP is not a surprise to discerning Nigerians.
“His continuous political nomadism is emblematic of a man driven not by principles or ideology, but by unrelenting personal ambition.
“We further note that the defection will neither change the electoral fortunes of the ADC nor pose any serious threat to the dominance of the APC, especially in Lagos State and across the federation.
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“Let us be clear: whether Atiku is in PDP, ADC, or any other alphabet party, the people of Lagos and indeed Nigeria are wiser.
“The APC remains the only party with a proven track record of delivering transformative governance, economic growth, and infrastructural development.
“We wish to emphasise that this development presents an opportunity for the electorate to reassess the character and consistency of those seeking to lead, reiterating that APC stands firm in its commitment to progress, unity, and a vision-driven Nigeria.
“Lagos APC also wish to use the opportunity to urge our members and supporters to remain focused and continue mobilising at the grassroots for the forthcoming elections, stressing that victory lies in the party’s unity, performance record, and people-oriented agenda.
“Atiku has again proven that political instability follows him wherever he goes. Nigerians deserve better than recycled politics and self-serving theatrics. APC is ready to lead, and ready to win.”
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