Former Senate President David Mark has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), bringing to an end his decades-long association with the party he helped found.

Mark, who played a key role in shaping the PDP since its inception, announced his resignation in a letter dated June 27.

The development follows his recent appointment as one of the interim leaders of the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC), a move that signals a shift in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.

In his resignation letter sighted by ohibaba.com and addressed to the PDP leadership in Otukpo Ward 1, Benue State, Mark cited the party’s deep-seated leadership crisis and irreconcilable differences as the reasons behind his departure.

“The irreconcilable differences in the PDP have subjected the party to public ridicule and reduced it to a shadow of its former self,” he noted.

Reflecting on his loyalty and contributions to the PDP over the years, Mark said:

“I bring warm greetings to you and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Otukpo Ward 1, and by extension, to the entire Benue State and Nigeria. I write to formally inform you of my decision to resign my membership of the party with immediate effect.

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

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,” he said.

However, he lamented that recent internal conflicts have severely weakened the party.“

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,” he added.

Mark said the decision to leave the PDP came after extensive consultations with family, political allies, and close associates. He declared his next political move:

“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,” he stated.

The former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has agreed to serve as the Interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Former Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, was made spokesperson of the party.

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; mark; former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido; former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tom Ikimi; former Nigeria’s Ambassador to China, Aminu Wali; and former National Chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus, are among the party’s leaders, who called for a rethink of the current political situation.

Aregbesola bemoaned the current political structure in Nigeria, saying that, “our political landscape is plagued by parties that lack ideological depth.

“They are empty shells, merging and splitting, not over policy or principle, but over power and personality. There is little regard for the people, and even less for the country,” said Aregbesola.

The ex-Osun Governor and two-time Commissioner for Works in Lagos state, noted, “The ADC is not perfect, but it stands for something. It was forged in resistance, sharpened by vision, and led by men and women who believe in justice, dignity, equality, inclusivity of all interests and true freedom.

It has character. It has soul. It is therefore a true platform for expressing their aspirations.

“Sadly, in Nigeria today, we cannot say the same about many of our political parties.”

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has confirmed he will contest the 2027 presidential election.

Obi added that he was willing to serve a single four-year term if elected.

He made the declaration last night while speaking during a live session on X Spaces, where he answered questions from supporters both in Nigeria and abroad.

In a statement released today by his spokesman, Ibrahim Umar of the Peter Obi Media Reach, Obi dismissed claims of a possible joint ticket with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

However, he admitted being open to coalition talks, only if they are focused on addressing Nigeria’s core problems.

“If the coalition is not about stopping the killings in Benue, Zamfara, how to revive our economy, how to make our industries productive, how to put food on the tables of Nigerians… Count me out.

Nigeria is currently at war. We need to do something about it,” Obi said.

He also promised to stabilise Nigeria within two years of his administration and urged Nigerians to join him in the mission to rescue the nation.

“I will bring stability in Nigeria within two years in office. Leaders of Nigeria should sit down in Nigeria and fix Nigeria,” he added.

Speaking on the crisis within the Labour Party, Obi revealed that efforts were ongoing to secure the Independent National Electoral Commission’s recognition for the Nenadi Usman-led faction in line with the Supreme Court’s ruling.

On power rotation, Obi stated, “I believe in the rotation of government between North and South. I implemented it in Anambra as a governor.”

Commenting on President Bola Tinubu’s reported trip to St. Lucia, Obi criticised the President’s domestic absence, saying, “St Lucia is about the size of the 10th largest city of Nigeria, Ilorin.

President Tinubu has never slept a night in any state of Nigeria outside Lagos since the assumption of office in 2023.

PBAT to stay in St Lucia for 10 days.

”Regarding his 2027 plans, Obi said the approach would be non-violent and focused on transparency.

He stated, “We will do things differently in 2027. We will follow a non-violent approach and insist that the right thing will be done before the result announcement in Abuja.

Our votes in 2027 will count, and we will ensure they count.”

He outlined three priorities for his first 100 days in office: security, education, and poverty reduction.

“My family will not be involved in corruption. Funds to be channelled into key critical sectors,” he said.

Obi vowed to promote strong party opposition and end party-switching by elected officials.

“There will be no defection of elected officials to other parties when I am in charge,” he asserted.

He criticised the current administration for misaligned priorities, saying, “Imagine in this country, people are dying in Benue, Borno, and other parts of the country, and our leaders are commissioning bus stops and holidaying.”

He called for responsible governance and integrity.

“To bring order in governance, I will prioritise security, education and pulling people out of poverty.

To do this is by cutting the cost of governance and fighting corruption from day one.

“My past speaks loudly for me. Wherever there was an issue in Anambra State, I was there physically.

Anybody who wants to serve should be ready to put their life on the line for the lives of Nigerians.

Nobody abroad takes you seriously if you don’t have a stable government.”