Bauchi, Nigeria
The political arena in Nigeria has been stirred yet again by the latest resignation of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Despite the shockwaves the announcement generated on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Acting PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum, remains unshaken, signaling that Atiku’s exit might be short-lived.
Speaking at the Bauchi Government House on Friday, July 18, Damagum appeared unfazed, characterizing Atiku’s departure as a familiar pattern in Nigeria’s fluid political landscape.
“It is expected because this is not the first time and I don’t think it will be the last time. We are still expecting him any moment from now,” Damagum told journalists.
Atiku’s decision to leave the PDP was communicated through a letter dated July 14, 2025, addressed to the Chairman of Jada 1 Ward in Adamawa State, where he cited “irreconcilable differences” with the party’s current direction. The former vice president, who served from 1999 to 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo, accused the PDP of drifting from its founding principles, stating:
“It is indeed heartbreaking for me to make this decision,” he wrote, reflecting on his longstanding relationship with the party since its formation in 1998.
Speculation Over Next Moves
Atiku’s departure has reignited speculation about a potential defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a coalition-backed party rumored to be courting his influence ahead of the next election cycle. This would not mark his first political migration; in 2014, he left the PDP to co-found the All Progressives Congress (APC), only to return to the PDP in time for the 2019 presidential election, where he ran unsuccessfully as the party’s candidate.
Despite six failed presidential bids—1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023—Atiku remains a towering figure in Nigerian politics, often shaping opposition strategies with his movements.
A Party Hardened by Defections
The PDP’s composed reaction suggests a party that has grown accustomed to the turbulence of defections, unlike the more panicked responses witnessed during the 2011 electoral cycle, which saw key members defect to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Some political analysts interpret the PDP’s calm demeanor as evidence of a maturing structure, while others see it as a realistic acknowledgment of Atiku’s history of returning after temporary exits.
Damagum, who has been at the party’s helm in an acting capacity since March 2023, seems to believe that history will repeat itself. His remarks were echoed humorously by some Nigerians on X (formerly Twitter), where user @30Imaginations quipped, “🤣 ... And PDP go still collect am o,” highlighting widespread skepticism that Atiku’s departure is truly final.
Internal Struggles, External Pressures
Atiku’s resignation comes at a delicate time for the PDP, which continues to grapple with internal divisions and external pressures following its defeat to the APC in the 2023 general elections. The party has struggled to articulate a clear path forward, leaving room for fractures among its top ranks. While some observers view Atiku’s exit as a strategic maneuver to recalibrate his political future, others fear it signals deeper, unresolved conflicts within Nigeria’s primary opposition party.
What Next for Atiku—and the PDP?
As Nigeria edges closer to another round of elections, all eyes remain on Atiku’s next move. His history suggests this may not be his final political reinvention. For now, the PDP leadership seems content to wait, betting that “the door is never fully closed” when it comes to the former vice president.
News House will continue to monitor this developing story and provide timely updates as the situation evolves.
For more updates on Nigerian politics, governance, and national affairs, follow News House
