Atiku’s son Adamu Abubakar has formally resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party

Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.

Adamu Abubakar has formally resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), adding to a growing wave of high-profile defections reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections. His resignation was announced in a letter dated March 4, 2026, addressed to the chairman of the PDP in Jada 1 Ward, Adamawa State, stating that his decision takes immediate effect and thanking party leaders and members for their support over the years. His departure from the party comes amid significant political realignments and follows his earlier resignation from public office.

Adamu Abubakar, the eldest son of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, previously served as Commissioner for Works and Energy Development in Adamawa State. He resigned from that position in early March following the defection of Governor Umaru Ahmadu Fintiri from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC). His resignation from the cabinet was submitted in a letter addressed to the governor, and while he did not explicitly state his reasons, it closely followed the governor’s own party switch.

Sources familiar with Adamu’s political plans say he is expected to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), aligning his political trajectory with that of his father after Atiku himself left the PDP in July 2025. Atiku’s resignation came after citing irreconcilable differences with the party’s direction and leadership, and his subsequent move to the ADC has elevated the party’s profile as an opposition platform.

Adamu’s decision follows a surprising development in January 2026 involving his brother, Abba Atiku, another son of the former vice-president, who registered with the APC in Adamawa State and pledged his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. Abba’s move, which he described as a personal choice in support of the Tinubu administration’s agenda, highlighted the distinct political paths being taken by different members of the Abubakar family.

Political analysts view Adamu’s resignation from the PDP as part of a broader trend of internal dissatisfaction and factionalism within the party, which has witnessed departures from senior figures in recent months. Several other notable politicians, including former governors and legislators, have either left the PDP or expressed discontent over leadership disputes and lack of a clear strategic direction. Defections into the ADC, including from figures like former Governor Donald Duke and former Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, have strengthened the party as a growing opposition platform.

Adamawa State’s political terrain has been particularly dynamic, with multiple leaders realigning their affiliations. The state, historically a PDP stronghold, has seen shifting loyalties following Governor Fintiri’s defection, which influenced Adamu’s resignation from the executive council. Some commentators describe the shift as political opportunism, while others frame it as a response to genuine disagreements with the PDP’s evolving philosophy and electoral prospects.

The ADC’s growing momentum reflects a broader opposition strategy ahead of the 2027 elections. Defections into the party are seen as efforts to create a united front across Nigeria’s opposition space, with leaders from diverse backgrounds converging on the ADC to challenge the dominance of the ruling APC. The party’s increasing appeal is rooted partly in perceptions that it offers a fresh platform with fewer entrenched conflicts compared with more established parties.

For Adamu Abubakar, resigning from the PDP — the party of his father’s long political legacy — marks a significant personal and political transition. It underscores not only the fragmentation within Nigeria’s traditional political parties but also evolving strategies among elite politicians seeking viable vehicles for influence and leadership as the presidential and National Assembly elections draw nearer. His expected alignment with the ADC may further consolidate the opposition’s reconfiguration and intensify the party’s role in shaping Nigeria’s political future in the lead-up to 2027.

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