Dino Melaye Resigns from PDP, Blames Party's "Lack of Potency"
Abuja, Nigeria – July 31, 2025 – Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye has formally resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing the party’s inability to provide credible leadership for the nation. His resignation deepens the internal crises within Nigeria’s leading opposition party, particularly in the wake of the emerging ADC‑led coalition.
In a resignation letter addressed to the PDP Ward Chairman in Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, dated July 4, 2025, Melaye stated:
“I hereby tender my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party at all levels of involvement... This decision has become imperative due to the lack of potency and capacity by the party to deliver the Nigerian people from the prevailing political cankerworms.”
Melaye, who contested the 2023 Kogi State governorship election under the PDP banner, shared the letter publicly on his official X account on July 31, confirming his immediate withdrawal from the party’s structures nationwide.
A Political Reorientation
Melaye’s departure comes shortly after the defection of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from the PDP to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition. LegitimACY sources report that Melaye has now officially joined the ADC, receiving his membership card from the party’s state leadership in Kogi.
With Atiku’s allies such as former Senate President David Mark and others also defecting, the exodus raises existential questions about the PDP’s future relevance as Nigeria heads toward the 2027 general elections.
A Blow to PDP’s Opposition Strategy
Analysts view this resignation as a significant blow to the PDP’s internal cohesion and opposition positioning. Melaye’s critique centers on the party’s failure to address Nigeria’s persistent political and governance challenges, reaffirming the belief among political elites that the PDP is losing its potency to lead.
The departure underscores mounting concerns that the PDP risks irrelevance unless it re-engages its support base and restrategizes ahead of the 2027 polls.
