Former Vice President of Nigeria and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has formally resigned his membership of the party.

Atiku announced his resignation in a letter dated Monday, July 14, 2025, addressed to the PDP Chairman of Jada 1 Ward, Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State. A copy of the letter was shared on social media platform X by his Special Assistant on Media, Abdul Rasheeth, on Wednesday.

In the letter, the former Vice President expressed appreciation to the PDP for the opportunities he had during his time in the party. He described his service as Vice President and two-time presidential candidate as significant milestones in his political journey.

Atiku wrote, “I am writing to formally resign my membership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect. I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for the opportunities I have been given by the party.”

While acknowledging the emotional difficulty of the decision, Atiku cited a departure from the party’s founding ideals as the reason for his exit. He noted that the PDP had taken a direction that no longer aligned with the principles on which it was established.

“As a founding father of this esteemed party, it is indeed heartbreaking for me to make this decision. However, I find it necessary to part ways due to the current trajectory the party has taken, which I believe diverges from the foundational principles we stood for,” he stated.

Atiku added that the differences had become irreconcilable and wished the party and its leadership success in future endeavors.

His resignation comes amid reports of the formation of a new coalition party, the Alliance Democratic Congress which he is believed to be championing ahead of the 2027 general elections.

As of the time of this report, the PDP leadership has not issued an official response to Atiku’s departure.