A support group known as Nigerian Youths for Atiku (NYFA) has declared that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) signals the end of the party’s dominance in Nigerian politics.
In a statement released on Thursday in Lagos, NYFA’s Director General, Mr. Dare Dada, described Abubakar’s departure as a crippling blow to the former ruling party’s political and electoral prospects.
Abubakar, who ran as the PDP’s presidential candidate in 2019 and 2023, announced his exit from the party on Wednesday, citing irreparable internal divisions. While he has not officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a coalition of opposition leaders led by him recently adopted the ADC as their platform for the 2027 elections. NYFA has also directed its nationwide members to abandon PDP structures and register with the ADC, hinting at a strategic shift.
Dada emphasized that Abubakar’s exit, alongside other prominent PDP members, has severely undermined the party. He highlighted Abubakar’s vast support base across Nigeria’s northern and southern regions, including youths, women, and professionals, as a critical loss for the PDP. “Atiku was the backbone of the PDP. His departure has left the party in disarray,” Dada stated.
In response, NYFA has ordered its over 1.5 million members across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to resign from the PDP and join the ADC. “Our members, drawn from PDP, NNPP, LP, and non-partisan professionals across various sectors, have been instructed to align with the ADC,” Dada explained.
He described NYFA as a movement dedicated to promoting good governance, transparency, and democratic values, which he believes are vital for Nigeria’s progress. Dada noted that the resignation of NYFA’s President and Founder, Prof. Gold Emmanuel, and other members from the PDP was a deliberate step to protect Nigeria’s democracy. “We must prevent Nigeria from becoming a one-party state or falling into civilian dictatorship,” he warned.
Calling for unity in addressing hunger, poverty, and insecurity, Dada reaffirmed NYFA’s commitment to mobilizing over three million votes for Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 presidential election under the ADC banner.