₦airaland Forum

By Okiki Adeduyite


A former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, is no stranger to party defections. With his confirmed exit from the Peoples Democratic Party, this marks yet another turn in his political journey.

“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. It is with a heavy heart that I resign, recognising the irreconcilable differences that have emerged,” Atiku said in a letter dated July 14, 2025,” Atiku said on Wednesday in his resignation letter to the PDP.

This marks the latest in a series of high-profile switches across Nigeria’s political landscape.

Below, PUNCH Online revisits five notable times Atiku has changed parties and what motivated each move.


1999–2006: Peoples Democratic Party

In 1999, Atiku was elected governor of Adamawa State under the PDP. Before he could be sworn in, he was selected as running mate to Olusegun Obasanjo, who went on to win the presidential election. Atiku served as Vice President from 1999 to 2007.


2006-2009: PDP to Action Congress

Atiku left the PDP in 2006 following a fallout with President Obasanjo over succession plans. He joined the Action Congress to contest the 2007 presidential election. He lost to PDP’s Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.


AC – PDP (2009)

In 2009, Atiku returned to the PDP after clashing with then-AC leader and current President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu. He sought the PDP presidential ticket in 2011 but lost to incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.


PDP – All Progressives Congress (2014)

Ahead of the 2015 elections, Atiku again defected, this time to the newly formed APC, citing lack of internal democracy in the PDP.

He contested the APC presidential primary but lost to Muhammadu Buhari, who later defeated Jonathan in the general election.


APC – PDP (2017)

Atiku returned to the PDP in 2017, criticising the APC for failing to deliver on its promises and sidelining party stakeholders. He secured the PDP’s presidential ticket for the 2019 election but lost to Buhari.


PDP – New platform (2025)

Amid continued internal divisions, zoning controversies, and fallout from the 2023 loss to President Tinubu, Atiku has again parted ways with the PDP.

Though he has yet to announce a new political party, Atiku, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Senate President David Mark and other coalition leaders have officially adopted the African Democratic Congress as the platform to spearhead President Tinubu’s defeat in the 2027 election.

atiku4President:
#VoteObiTicket2027✅ #VOT
Any ticket that has Obi as VP or Presidential candidate is what we are voting.

Nemesis0147:
Atiku na m,ad man

Is his life tied in aso rock?

Jeez

givedemwotowoto:
Peter Obi is the topic, let’s not change the topic. Let’s continue to talk about PO. He’s the most talked about politician in Africa right now. He’s the man they can’t stop talking about!

Islie:
https://punchng.com/five-times-atiku-changed-party-why/?amp

AmuEbule:
How many times did late Buhari run fo president before won?

Many of you won't know because you were still on napkins and diapers then