David Mark resigns from PDP, takes helm of new coalition party

In a major political development, former Senate President David Mark has formally resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), signaling a significant shift ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Mark made his decision known in a letter dated June 27, addressed to the PDP ward chairman in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State. In the letter, which surfaced shortly after the opposition coalition unveiled the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its new political platform, Mark announced that his resignation takes immediate effect.

The move follows Mark’s recent appointment as the interim National Chairman of the ADC under the Atiku-led coalition, which is gearing up to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming elections.

“You may recall that over the years, I have remained firm and deeply committed to the ideals of the PDP,” the letter reads.

“Even when nearly all stakeholders departed the party following our loss in the 2015 presidential election, I pledged to remain the last man standing.

“I have worked steadfastly to rebuild, reconcile, and reposition the party, efforts which without sounding immodest helped restore the PDP to national relevance and made it once again a party of choice for many Nigerians.

“However, recent events marked by deepening divisions, persistent leadership crisis, and irreconcilable differences have reduced the party to a shadow of its former self, subjecting it to public ridicule.

“After wide consultations with my family, friends, and political associates, I have resolved to join the National Coalition of Political Opposition Movement in Nigeria, as part of the collective effort to rescue our nation and preserve our hard-earned democracy.”

Discussions about forming a coalition to potentially wrest federal power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) began gaining momentum early this year.

Among the coalition leaders are former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, a former transportation minister; Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election; and el-Rufai, former Kaduna governor.

Recall that opposition leaders had in May agreed to adopt the ADC as the platform to challenge the ruling APC in the 2027 elections.

Ralph Nwosu, founder of the ADC, told TheCable last week that Mark possesses the capacity to provide the required focus for the coalition platform.