“We’ve Seen This Before” – PDP Shrugs Off Atiku’s Exit
By Abdulwahab Muhammad Bauchí
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it is unfazed by the resignation of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, calling it a “familiar pattern” in his political journey.
Reacting to the development, PDP Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, dismissed the move as routine.
“This is not the first time. We’re expecting him back,” he said, signaling the party’s lack of surprise or alarm.
Atiku recently dumped the PDP and announced the formation of a new political platform—the Alliance Democratic Congress (ADC)—sparking speculation about his next move ahead of the 2027 general elections.
But Damagum’s calm response indicates that the party sees Atiku’s exit as part of a cycle. Over the years, the former Vice President has moved between political parties, returning to the PDP on multiple occasions.
Observers say PDP’s nonchalant posture reflects a mix of confidence and experience. “We’ve seen this before,” a senior party official noted. “It doesn’t shake the foundation of the party.”
The PDP appears to be taking a wait-and-see approach, confident that its internal cohesion and political relevance will withstand yet another high-profile defection.
Analysts believe Atiku’s new move may be a tactical step to realign his presidential ambition. However, within the PDP, there’s skepticism about the seriousness or sustainability of his new direction.
As Damagum put it, the door may not be closed—just as history has shown, Atiku often comes back.
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