Politics
Backlash Trails Atiku’s Third Exit From PDP
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s latest defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened internal divisions within the opposition party, sparking a wave of criticisms, political calculations, and questions over the PDP’s stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku formally resigned from the PDP on Sunday, July 14, in a letter addressed to the party chairman in his Jada Ward 1, Adamawa State, citing “irreconcilable differences” and deviation from the founding principles of the party.
His resignation marks the third time he has exited the PDP since its inception.
READ ALSO: Atiku Abubakar Dumps PDP, Floats New Coalition Party
“It is with a heavy heart that I resign, recognising the irreconcilable differences that have emerged,” Atiku stated. “The current trajectory of the party diverges from the foundational principles we stood for.”
Backlash from Party Leaders, Ministers
Reactions to the defection have been swift and varied. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde dismissed Atiku’s exit as inconsequential, asserting that the former vice president had become a weight on the party.
“The PDP is an institution,” Makinde said. “You have the freedom to enter and exit. But I think anyone who would hold the PDP down—it’s better for such an individual to leave.”
Makinde, who spoke during the 10th Coronation Colloquium of the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, insisted that the PDP remains strong and unshaken.
However, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), criticized the timing of the resignation, accusing Atiku of political insensitivity.
Keyamo noted that Atiku’s move came during a seven-day national mourning declared by the Federal Government following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“It is within your constitutional right to change parties,” Keyamo wrote via X (formerly Twitter).
“However, releasing your resignation letter during the mourning of our immediate past president is a clear attempt to draw attention to yourself.”
Keyamo also condemned Atiku’s use of the Nigerian Coat of Arms on his private political communications, calling it illegal and morally wrong.
“Section 6 of the Flag and Coat of Arms Act, Cap. F30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, makes this an offence,” he added. “It borders on impersonation.”
Tension in Adamawa and PDP’s Power Base
In Atiku’s home state of Adamawa, PDP chairman Ahmed Shehu insisted that the former VP’s exit would not significantly affect the party’s structure.
“The former Vice President is a great asset, but our party remains formidable,” Shehu said. “The PDP in Jada Ward 1 remains intact. If any mass exit occurred, we would have been officially notified.”
However, Umar Bello Jada, a political associate of Atiku, argued otherwise, insisting the PDP is “already dead” in Adamawa South and predicted more defections would follow.
“The PDP is a dead party—killed by its own leaders,” Jada declared.
Rising ADC and New Political Calculations
Atiku has now pitched his tent with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he is expected to seek the presidential ticket for the 2027 election.
The ADC, which had remained relatively quiet on the national scene, is now experiencing a resurgence, bolstered by the arrival of Atiku and his allies.
Atiku’s defection was followed by a wave of high-profile resignations from the PDP. Joining the ADC alongside him are Mark, Senator Tunde Ogbeha, Chief Tom Ikimi, Senator Dino Melaye, and Bolaji Abdullahi, who now serves as ADC’s interim publicity secretary.
Professor Tunde Olusunle, a PDP chieftain and former presidential aide, described the ADC’s rise as a political “tsunami” that could eclipse the Labour Party’s 2023 momentum.
“The ADC is blossoming into a nationwide tsunami,” Olusunle said. “What it brings to Nigeria’s political landscape is massive and may render the PDP ineffective as an opposition force.”
APC Reacts: “A Desperate Move”
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has also weighed in. In a strongly worded statement, Lagos APC spokesperson Seye Oladejo described Atiku’s defection as a “predictable act of desperation.”
“Atiku’s continuous political nomadism is emblematic of a man driven not by principles or ideology, but by unrelenting personal ambition,” Oladejo stated.
He further asserted that the ADC posed no threat to the APC, which remains focused on governance, economic reforms, and electoral dominance ahead of 2027.
“Whether Atiku is in PDP, ADC, or any other alphabet party, Nigerians are wiser,” Oladejo said. “APC remains the only party with a proven track record of transformative governance.”
Atiku’s exit has once again thrown the PDP into a state of soul-searching. Although its leaders continue to present a united front, analysts believe the party faces existential challenges, especially in light of mounting defections, factionalism, and failure to present a cohesive opposition strategy.
With Atiku’s departure and the rise of the ADC, the battle for 2027 is already heating up long before official campaigns begin.
Whether the PDP can survive this fresh political storm remains uncertain.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has demanded the immediate disclosure of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s whereabouts and health status following his absence from the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The NDC made the demand in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, on Monday, September 28, 2026, expressing what it described as “profound disappointment and grave concern” over Tinubu’s absence from the gathering of world leaders.
ALSO READ: ‘Where Is Nigeria’s President?’ — Obi Questions Tinubu’s Third Straight UNGA Absence
According to the party, this marks the third consecutive time since Tinubu assumed office in 2023 that the President has failed to attend UNGA in person.
The NDC said Nigerians had for weeks been told by Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, that President Tinubu would attend the General Assembly and would be seated close to United States President Donald Trump.
The party, however, said the Presidency announced on September 20 that Vice President Kashim Shettima had been “mandated” to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA.
The NDC also questioned Tinubu’s reported extended stay in Europe, saying the President left Nigeria on August 30 and extended his stay in Paris indefinitely.
The party alleged that the President had spent more than three weeks outside the country on what it described as a “so-called vacation” without formally transmitting power.
The NDC described the situation as “unpresidential, unconstitutional, and unacceptable,” arguing that the country had been left without the President physically present in Nigeria and without the President attending the UNGA.
NDC Raises Constitutional Questions
The party cited Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which provides for the President to transmit a written declaration to the National Assembly when proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge the functions of office.
The NDC alleged that Tinubu did not formally transmit such a declaration during his extended absence.
The party questioned why, in its words, the President was “always afraid” of transmitting a written declaration to the National Assembly.
It further alleged that at one point Nigeria was effectively on “autopilot,” claiming that the President, Vice President and Senate President were all outside the country.
The NDC therefore called for compliance with Section 145 whenever the President is away or unable to perform the functions of his office.
NDC Questions Diplomatic Cost Of UNGA Absence
The party also challenged the significance of Nigeria being represented by the Vice President rather than the President at the UNGA.
The NDC argued that the annual gathering is more than the formal speeches delivered by world leaders, stressing that UNGA provides opportunities for presidents and heads of government to hold bilateral meetings and negotiate issues affecting their countries.
According to the party, such engagements include discussions on foreign direct investment, debt relief, climate finance, global financial reforms and security cooperation.
The NDC claimed that Nigeria’s absence at the presidential level could result in what it described as losses in direct foreign investment engagements, leverage on global financial reform, strategic security partnerships and Nigeria’s international standing.
The party also argued that the development could diminish Nigeria’s position as the “Giant of Africa.”
It maintained that presidential diplomacy cannot simply be outsourced to representatives.
NDC Contrasts Nigeria’s UNGA Presence With Ghana
The NDC further compared Nigeria’s representation at UNGA with the participation of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama.
The party said Mahama delivered what it described as a “statesmanlike performance” at UNGA 81, addressing issues including Africa’s position on debt justice, climate reparations and restoring trust in multilateralism.
The NDC said that while Ghana commanded attention at the gathering, Nigeria’s presidential seat was empty.
“Mahama spoke for Africa; Nigeria was spoken for,” the party stated.
NDC Criticises 15-Minute Speech Explanation
The party also criticised comments attributed to Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim concerning the duration of a presidential speech at the General Assembly.
The NDC said the argument that President Tinubu could not travel to New York merely “to speak for just 15 minutes” demonstrated, in its view, a misunderstanding of international diplomacy.
According to the party, every world leader is allocated a limited speaking period at the General Assembly, but the importance of UNGA extends beyond the formal speeches.
The NDC argued that the remaining time is used for high-level bilateral engagements, negotiations and diplomatic interactions, describing these activities as the “corridor diplomacy” through which important international decisions are pursued.
The party said the President’s absence therefore meant that Nigeria could not personally participate in those presidential-level engagements.
NDC Issues Three Demands
The NDC called for the immediate disclosure of President Tinubu’s whereabouts and health status.
It also demanded that the President comply with Section 145 of the Constitution whenever he is proceeding on vacation or otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office.
The party further called for an end to what it described as an “imperial presidency” that treats accountability as an afterthought.
The NDC said Nigeria, with more than 200 million citizens, could not be effectively governed through delegation and press releases.
“A nation of over 200 million people cannot be run by delegation and press release. Nigeria deserves a president who is present,” the statement said.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has received political office seekers formerly affiliated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and their supporters from four states ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The defectors are from Jigawa, Plateau, Taraba and Zamfara states.
SEE MORE: 2027: APC Chairman Yilwatda Leads Three-Day Strategic Retreat in Borno
The group, led by Mohammed Hassan Mai Solar and Aslan Aliyu, said their decision to join the ruling APC was influenced by what they described as the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
They also cited the political structure of the APC, which they said promotes trust, a level playing field and justice for all.
Receiving the defectors, APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, highlighted what he described as major transformations taking place across Northern Nigeria.
Yilwatda pointed to developments in road infrastructure, energy reforms, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and various empowerment initiatives as notable programmes of the Tinubu administration.
He urged the new members and their supporters to rally behind the APC, stressing the importance of continuity and progress.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has intensified preparations for the 2027 General Election, with its Chairman, Professor Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, directing officials to identify and close operational gaps ahead of the polls.
Amupitan gave the directive on Monday in Kaduna during the North-West Zonal Interactive Meeting with Staff and Readiness Assessment for the 2027 General Election.
SEE MORE: 2023 Election: ‘If Something Fishy Went Down, Ask INEC’ — Gov Sule
The meeting forms part of INEC’s six-zone national readiness assessment aimed at evaluating the Commission’s preparedness, identifying challenges affecting its field operations and developing practical solutions ahead of the 2027 elections.
Declaring the North-West zonal engagement open, Amupitan said the exercise was aimed at strengthening the foundations of the country’s electoral process and ensuring that avoidable weaknesses do not undermine the credibility of the 2027 elections.
He stressed that the success of any election is largely determined at the grassroots, particularly at the Local Government Areas, Registration Area Centres and polling units where electoral officials interact directly with voters.
“The true success of any election is not decided solely in the meeting rooms of our headquarters in Abuja. It is decided in the field,” Amupitan said.
The INEC chairman urged staff to use the engagement to present practical challenges confronting election administration in their respective areas and work with the Commission’s headquarters to develop solutions before election day.
He said INEC was building on lessons from recent elections as it prepares for the larger national assignment in 2027.
Amupitan also warned electoral officials against partisan conduct and administrative negligence, stressing that neutrality and professionalism among field personnel would be critical to maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.
As part of its preparations for the 2027 elections, the Commission is also scheduled to commence Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) collection on October 9.
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