From PDP to ADC: Five Times Atiku Changed Party, Why

From PDP to ADC: Five times Atiku changed party, why
He has now changed political parties five times since 2006
He joins a coalition adopting ADC ahead of 2027 elections

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has once again exited the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), deepening speculation about a united opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that in his resignation letter dated July 14, 2025, Atiku wrote, “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.”

This latest move marks at least the fifth time Atiku has switched political allegiances since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.

1. PDP to Action Congress (2006):
Atiku began as a PDP governor-elect in 1999 before becoming Vice President under President Olusegun Obasanjo. After a bitter fallout with Obasanjo over succession, he left the PDP in 2006 for the Action Congress (AC) to contest the 2007 presidential election, which he lost.

2. AC to PDP (2009):
Following internal disputes with AC leader Bola Tinubu, Atiku returned to the PDP in 2009. He sought the PDP’s presidential ticket in 2011 but was defeated by Goodluck Jonathan.

3. PDP to APC (2014):
Atiku joined the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014, citing PDP’s lack of internal democracy. He contested the APC primary but lost to Muhammadu Buhari.

4. APC to PDP (2017):
In 2017, Atiku defected back to the PDP, accusing the APC of betrayal and broken promises. He secured the PDP presidential ticket in 2019 but lost to Buhari again.

5. PDP to New Platform (2025):
With internal PDP conflicts unresolved after the 2023 loss, Atiku, Peter Obi, and other opposition leaders have adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.