- Abubakar’s political journey—marked by strategic defections and shifting allegiances—has left him in a weakened position to criticise current PDP defectors.
Atiku Abubakar, who was the former Vice President of Nigeria (1999–2007), has had a dynamic political career characterised by multiple defections and re-alignments across major political parties in the country.
Abubakar, one of Nigeria’s most recognisable political figures, finds himself in a delicate position when it comes to criticising defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
His own history of crossing party lines complicates any attempt to call out others for doing the same.
In 1998, Abubakar joined the PDP, where he ran for and became Vice President under President Olusegun Obasanjo.
In 2006, he left the PDP and joined the Action Congress (AC), citing a breakdown in relations with President Obasanjo and opposition to the president’s alleged third-term agenda.
In 2009, Atiku rejoined the PDP, stating that the party had addressed some of the issues that led to his earlier exit, including the need for internal democracy and reforms.
On February 2, 2014, the former Vice President left the PDP again and joined the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC), citing frustrations with PDP’s leadership and a desire to support a platform he believed could bring change to Nigeria.
On November 24, 2017, Atiku announced his resignation from the APC, expressing disappointment with the party’s handling of internal democracy and accusing it of failing to live up to its promises.
On December 3, 2017, Atiku rejoined the PDP, stating that the conditions that forced his departure in the past had been resolved and expressing renewed confidence in the party’s direction.
This series of movements across political lines has left him vulnerable to accusations of inconsistency and opportunism.
CURRENT CRISIS WITHIN THE PDP
The PDP is currently experiencing internal turmoil, with factions forming around key figures such as Atiku and the minister of the federal capital territory, Nyesom Wike.
Disagreements over the party’s direction, leadership style, and handling of past elections have led to growing discontent among members.
The situation worsened after the 2023 general election, which saw Atiku lose to Bola Tinubu of the APC.
Some members blame the party’s failure on internal sabotage and a lack of unity. Prominent party leaders, including Wike, openly opposed Atiku’s candidacy and allegedly worked against the PDP during the presidential race, further deepening divisions within the party.
A WAVE OF RECENT DEFECTIONS
In early 2025, the PDP witnessed a string of defections. Senator Ned Nwoko and Mrs Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu were among those who moved to the APC.
The PDP has responded by reactivating its disciplinary machinery under a committee headed by Chief Tom Ikimi.
Several members, including former Benue governor Samuel Ortom and ex-governorship candidate Senator Samuel Anyanwu, have been summoned for alleged anti-party activities.
However, observers have noted selective application of disciplinary measures. For example, Wike, despite his high-profile opposition to Atiku, has not been summoned or penalised.
This perceived double standard has raised concerns about fairness within the party and weakened its authority to sanction defectors.
In April, Sheriff Oborevwori, the incumbent governor of Delta, left the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Ifeanyi Okowa, his immediate predecessor, and Atiku’s running mate also joined the ruling party.
Oborevwori succeeded Okowa as the governor of Delta after winning the 2023 election on the platform of the PDP.
In recent weeks, the PDP has lost several members to the ruling APC, with other governors and key party members also reportedly planning to defect.
There is a similar reoccurrence in 2022 when Peter Obi, former Anambra governor, dumped Atiku’s PDP for the Labour Party just a few days before the party’s presidential primary. Obi was Atiku’s running mate in the 2019 general elections.
ATIKU’S CALL FOR COALITION DEBATE
Abubakar has recently been vocal about forming a coalition of opposition parties to challenge the APC in future elections.
Recently, there have been speculations across different sectors alleging that the former Vice President is planning to leave the PDP and join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), a claim that he has consistently debunked.
Talks on a coalition to wrest federal control from the APC have been intensifying ahead of the next election.
Opposition politicians have also been holding a series of “strategic meetings” in what appears to be a concerted effort to actualise the plan.
The leading advocate for the coalition is Abubakar, the PDP’s standard-bearer in the 2023 poll, who has consistently pushed for a coalition among opposition parties in a bid to unseat Tinubu.
Last month, governors elected on the PDP platform ruled out the possibility of a merger or coalition with any other political party.
The former vice president believes that only a united front can prevent the dominance of one-party rule in Nigeria.
In his view, the current fragmentation of the opposition weakens democracy and strengthens the ruling party’s grip on power.
However, his call for a coalition has not been fully embraced within the PDP. Some party leaders argue that the PDP should focus on rebuilding itself internally rather than merging with other parties.
They believe that addressing internal disputes and uniting the party should take precedence over new political alliances.
THE MORAL DILEMMA OF CRITICISING DEFECTORS
Given Atiku’s own history of multiple party switches, he faces a credibility issue when condemning others for leaving the PDP.
His critics often cite his past defections as justification for their own political moves. This makes it difficult for him to take a strong moral stance against defectors without appearing hypocritical.
Moreover, Atiku’s perceived tolerance of internal sabotage during the 2023 election has weakened his influence within the party.
Some members question why he hasn’t pushed for stronger sanctions against those who undermined his campaign, including those who have since been rewarded with federal appointments.
When the tsunami hit Delta PDP, Atiku reacted in a statement released on X page and said it is important to state clearly that “freedom of association and expression are core democratic rights — not privileges”.
“Let me be unequivocal: freedom of association and expression are not optional in a democracy — they are fundamental rights,” he wrote.
“Alongside these stand the pillars of a just and functional democratic society: the people, the rule of law, credible elections, and accountability. Undermine any of these, and democracy itself begins to crumble.”
Abubakar said any attempt to erode these values is a direct threat to the survival of democracy in Nigeria.
He said that defections and political alignments are part of the country’s evolving democratic culture, and must not be seen as betrayal.
“As someone who believes deeply in democratic ideals, I bear no ill will towards anyone who chooses a different political path,” he said.
“Politics will always involve shifting alliances — we’ve seen them in the past and we’ll see more in the future.”
WAY FORWARD
Atiku Abubakar’s political journey—marked by strategic defections and shifting allegiances—has left him in a weakened position to criticise current PDP defectors.
His past actions have helped normalise political cross-carpeting in Nigeria, creating a precedent that others now follow.
In a party struggling with internal divisions and declining public confidence, Atiku’s message of unity and discipline may continue to fall on sceptical ears.
To rebuild credibility and cohesion, the PDP will need to address these issues with consistency and transparency. Otherwise, the party risks further erosion of its influence ahead of the 2027 general election.
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