How Many Times Has Atiku Abubakar Dumped and Rejoined The PDP?

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has once again made headlines with his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on July 14, 2025, marking his third official exit from the party he co-founded in 1998.

In a letter addressed to the PDP Chairman of Jada 1 Ward in Adamawa State, Atiku cited “irreconcilable differences” and the party’s deviation from its founding principles as the reason for his departure.

Publicly announced on July 16, 2025, the move has reignited debates about his political future, particularly as he now aligns with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku’s Political Journey: Exiting and Rejoining the PDP

Atiku Abubakar’s political career is defined by strategic party movements, largely influenced by his presidential aspirations and internal party disagreements. Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, Atiku has switched parties six times, including three exits from the PDP.

1. 1998–2006: PDP Foundation and First Exit

Atiku joined the PDP in 1998 as a founding member and was elected Governor of Adamawa State in 1999. Before assuming office, he became the running mate to Olusegun Obasanjo and served as Vice President from 1999 to 2007.

His fallout with Obasanjo—especially over the latter’s alleged third-term bid—highlighted internal tensions within the PDP. In 2006, citing a lack of internal democracy, Atiku defected to the Action Congress (AC) to contest the 2007 presidential election. He lost to the PDP’s Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

2. 2009–2014: Return and Second Exit

Atiku returned to the PDP in 2009 after disagreements with AC leaders, including Bola Tinubu. He contested the PDP’s 2011 presidential primaries, where he lost to Goodluck Jonathan, garnering 805 votes to Jonathan’s 2,736.

In 2014, citing again the PDP’s lack of internal democracy, he exited and became a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He contested the APC’s 2014 presidential primaries but lost to Muhammadu Buhari.

3. 2017–2025: Second Return and Third Exit

In December 2017, disillusioned by the APC’s leadership, Atiku rejoined the PDP. He clinched the party’s presidential ticket for both the 2019 and 2023 elections, losing to Buhari and Tinubu respectively.

Persistent internal conflicts, including unresolved zoning issues and post-election crises, led to growing frustration. On July 14, 2025, he announced his third exit, signaling a shift toward leading a new opposition coalition under the ADC.

In total, Atiku has:

• Left the PDP three times: 2006, 2014, and 2025.
• Rejoined twice: 2009 and 2017.
• Contested elections under four different parties: SDP (1993), PDP, AC (2007), and potentially ADC (2027).

Is This Exit Permanent?

Atiku’s latest move, his third resignation from the PDP, raises the question: Is this truly the final break?

His leadership role in the newly formed ADC coalition, launched in March 2025 alongside figures like Peter Obi and David Mark, suggests a long-term realignment. The coalition aims to consolidate opposition forces following a fragmented 2023 election (Tinubu 37%, Atiku 29%, Obi 25%).

Citing “irreconcilable differences” in his resignation letter, Atiku appears intent on forging a new path. At 78, many believe this represents his last presidential run, with the ADC offering a cleaner slate and ideological repositioning.

Moreover, the PDP continues to struggle with internal disunity, unresolved factional disputes (e.g., Nyesom Wike’s bloc), and strategic failures—all of which have fueled Atiku’s frustration.

Yet, given Atiku’s history of returning to the PDP, critics argue his loyalty is flexible. While the ADC has gained momentum, with defections from PDP and APC in states like Borno and Gombe, its electoral viability remains untested. The party secured just 81,919 votes in 2023.

Should the ADC fail to build a cohesive platform or mount a serious challenge to the APC, Atiku might consider another return, especially if the PDP regains stability.

While Atiku Abubakar’s political career has been marked by frequent party shifts, the context of his 2025 resignationsuggests a more decisive and possibly permanent break from the PDP.

His leadership role within the ADC coalition, combined with the PDP’s deep-rooted crises and his advancing age, points to a strategic recalibration. Atiku likely views 2027 as his final shot at the presidency—and the ADC provides a fresh platform for that ambition.

However, given his history of reversals and the ADC’s uncertain strength, only time will tell if this exit truly marks the end of Atiku’s long-standing association with the PDP—or yet another twist in Nigeria’s evolving political drama.