A day after it emerged that the former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun, has left the party for African Democratic Congress (ADC), the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has also left the main opposition party for the ADC..
Atiku resigned in a letter made public by his spokesperson, Mr. Paul Ibe.
The letter reads: “I am writing to formally resign my membership from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for the opportunities I have been given by the Party. Serving two full terms as Vice President of Nigeria and being a Presidential candidate twice has been one of the most significant chapters of my life. As a founding father of this esteemed Party, it is indeed heartbreaking for me to make this decision.
“However, 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. It is with a heavy heart that I resign, recognizing the irreconcilable differences that have emerged.
“I wish the Party and its leadership all the best in the future. Thank you once again for the opportunities and support.”
Chief John Odigie Oyegun, former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He registered as a member and received his membership card on Tuesday in Benin City, Edo State.
While presenting the card, Edo State ADC Chairman Kennedy Odion noted that Oyegun brings significant experience in coalition building, referencing his key role in the formation of the APC in 2013.
“He successfully built a political coalition before. And once you understand the formula, the outcome becomes easier. He knows how to do it again,” Odion said. “He’s from Edo, the heartbeat of the nation, and he led the implementation committee that decided ADC would be the new platform.”
In his remarks, Oyegun emphasised that the decision to join ADC followed extensive consultations with multiple political parties.
“We engaged with about seven parties. Even after selecting ADC, some still asked us to keep talking. We extended discussions for another two weeks, but in the end, ADC stood out as the most committed to the interests of Nigerians,” Oyegun stated.
He criticised the ruling APC for the country’s worsening economic conditions and rising insecurity, blaming the Tinubu administration for deepening national divisions.
“Nigeria has never been this divided,” Oyegun said.
