The Adamawa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has downplayed the significance of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar's resignation, insisting that his departure will not substantially weaken the party's structure.
Speaking on Wednesday, the state PDP chairman, Ahmed Tijani Shehu, acknowledged that while Atiku's exit came as a shock, the party would withstand the development.
"The former Vice President is a great asset for sure, but our party itself is a formidable one with remarkable presence all across the country, so we remain one big winning force," Shehu stated.
Atiku's resignation letter became public knowledge on Wednesday afternoon, sending ripples through Nigeria's political landscape. The development has sparked conflicting claims about its impact on PDP's grassroots support in Adamawa State, particularly in Atiku's home region.
Conflicting Claims Over Local Impact
Responding to allegations that PDP members in Atiku's ward had collectively defected with him, Shehu dismissed such claims, stating: "The PDP in Jada remains as it has long been, to the best of our knowledge. If the leaders and members of the PDP in that ward had gone out of the party with Atiku, they would have informed the party leadership at the state headquarters in Yola."
However, Umar Bello Jada, a prominent Atiku loyalist from the former Vice President's birthplace, contradicted this assertion. Popularly known as Calculate, Jada claimed that Atiku had no choice but to leave what he described as a "dead party."
"What has happened is foretold, as the PDP is a dead party, killed by its very leaders who traded the party for what they could get for themselves," he said.
Jada further alleged that the entire PDP structure in Jada Local Government Area had collapsed, with all members following Atiku's lead. He predicted that PDP members across southern Adamawa would soon defect to the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku's rumored new political platform.
Potential Political Realignment
Political analysts suggest that Atiku's exit could trigger significant realignments in Nigeria's opposition landscape ahead of future elections. The former Vice President, who has contested for the presidency multiple times, maintains substantial political influence, particularly in northern Nigeria.
While the PDP leadership maintains a brave face publicly, insiders acknowledge that losing a figure of Atiku's stature represents a challenge for the party's cohesion and electoral prospects.
The coming weeks will likely reveal the true extent of Atiku's influence on PDP's grassroots structure in Adamawa and whether his departure will indeed trigger the mass defections that his loyalists predict.
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