The political landscape in Nigeria sharply shifted as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar officially left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on July 14, 2025.
The move has ignited fierce criticism, especially from PDP Board of Trustees member Bode George, who condemned Atiku’s decision as rooted in selfish ambition rather than principle.
Atiku’s Bombshell Resignation: A Blow to PDP Unity
Atiku’s letter addressed to the PDP Chairman of Jada 1 Ward in Adamawa State cited “irreconcilable differences” as reasons for his resignation.
He lamented the party’s current trajectory, which he claimed diverges from its founding ideals.
Describing it as a heartbreaking decision, Atiku thanked the party for the opportunities it had given him over the years.
The former two-term Vice President and twice PDP presidential candidate expressed deep displeasure with PDP’s internal dynamics, signaling his intent to move on.
His exit has sent ripples of uncertainty through Nigeria’s main opposition party, raising questions about its preparedness for the 2027 general election.
Bode George Hits Back: “Enough Is Enough”
In a scathing rebuke to Atiku’s claims, Bode George accused the former Vice President of causing the very chaos he now laments.
Interviewed by Punch, George claimed Atiku’s insatiable presidential ambition clouds his judgment and confuses his role as a party elder.
Bode George stressed that Atiku should recognize PDP’s zoning agreements, which rotate the presidency between the North and South every eight years.
According to George, Atiku’s chance for the PDP ticket in 2027 is unrealistic; he would need to wait until 2031.
He lambasted Atiku for previously betraying the PDP by aligning with Bola Tinubu to undermine then-President Olusegun Obasanjo – a factor that cost Atiku the presidency in 2007.
George recalled that Atiku backed Tinubu’s agenda to limit Obasanjo to a single term, exposing a pattern of political deception.
George delivered a blunt message to Atiku and his family: “Who is Atiku deceiving? I urge his children to tell their father enough is enough.
By 2027, he would be 81. What does he want to do at 81?”
Atiku’s Political Past: A History of Betrayals?
Bode George’s accusations pull back the curtain on Atiku’s controversial political maneuvers.
In 2014, Atiku briefly left PDP to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), only to return before 2019, winning the PDP presidential primary then losing the general elections to Buhari and Tinubu in subsequent years.
George insists Atiku’s political path is littered with betrayals and miscalculations, making him an unreliable figure within the PDP.
George highlighted that Atiku led a faction that exited a national convention in protest and temporarily aligned with Tinubu’s APC, only to retreat when the alliance failed spectacularly.
This narrative frames Atiku not as a victim but as a chief architect of PDP’s internal turmoil.
Atiku’s Next Move: Heading to ADC?
Reliable sources confirm Atiku’s plan to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to pursue his 2027 presidential ambition.
His media team did not deny the reports, fueling speculation that his resignation was a calculated step to create a new political vehicle, outside the constraints of the PDP.
This maneuver further weakens the opposition bloc by fragmenting votes and dividing loyalties ahead of the critical 2027 elections.
PDP’s Silent Reaction and Looming Crisis
So far, PDP has remained largely silent on Atiku’s resignation.
Attempts to reach the party’s national publicity secretary went unanswered, indicating either shock or strategic avoidance.
The party now faces a daunting challenge: How to heal internal divisions and prevent further defections?
Atiku’s departure casts doubt on PDP’s capacity to unify its members or project itself as a credible alternative to the ruling APC.
Ambition vs. Party Principles: Who Wins?
This drama starkly illustrates the tension between personal ambition and party loyalty in Nigerian politics.
Atiku’s critics argue that his decisions prioritize self-interest over national stability or party unity.
Meanwhile, Atiku claims principled disagreement is at the heart of his exit.
But even his most vocal defenders admit the move relates closely to his presidential aspirations.
Bode George’s call for Atiku to “prepare grounds for the young ones to take over” highlights Nigeria’s urgent need for generational renewal in politics.
Yet, Atiku’s persistence at 81 raises uncomfortable questions about the durability of old guard dominance in Nigeria’s political arena.
What Atiku’s Exit Means for 2027 Elections
Atiku’s resignation dramatically reshapes the opposition battlefield.
His potential candidacy under ADC threatens to split PDP’s support base, reducing the opposition’s collective strength against the ruling APC.
Fragmentation could hand advantage to President Bola Tinubu’s party in 2027, undermining hopes for a united front against the incumbents.
The politics of betrayal, ambition, and factionalism continue to ravage Nigerian democracy.
Atiku’s saga reveals the costs of mixing personal dreams with national destiny a dangerous precedent as the clock ticks toward the next presidential poll.
Leave a Reply