Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a letter dated July 14 and made public on Wednesday, Atiku announced his resignation, stating that the decision was necessitated by what he described as a departure from the founding ideals of the party.
“I am writing to formally resign my membership from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect,” the letter reads.
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.”
Atiku also extended his best wishes to the PDP and its leadership, expressing appreciation for the support he received over the years.
Alongside Atiku’s exit, all local government and ward chairmen of Jada Local Government Area in Adamawa State—his home state—have also withdrawn their membership from the party.
The former vice president is expected to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the conditions under which students in various parts of Nigeria were forced to sit for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, calling the situation a “national disgrace” and demanding a resit of the affected examination paper.
In a statement issued on Thursday following widespread reports of students writing their exams in dark and unfit environments across the country, Atiku expressed deep concern over what he called a “damning indictment of our systemic failure to uphold the most basic standards in public education.”
He wrote, “The recent report of students sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination in appallingly dark and unfit conditions across the country is nothing short of a national disgrace. That this outrage occurred just a day after the world marked International Children’s Day only deepens the shame.
This is not merely an unfortunate incident — it is a damning indictment of our systemic failure to uphold the most basic standards in public education.
It is unacceptable, unjustifiable, and utterly indefensible that in 2025, our children are forced to write critical national exams in pitch darkness like second-class citizens.”
Atiku also demanded the retake of the affected examination paper in all affected centres, warning that anything less would be a “grave injustice to the students whose futures hang in the balance.”.
This incident must awaken our national conscience,” he wrote. “It must compel immediate and sustained investment in critical social infrastructure, with education as the foremost priority — not in rhetoric but in tangible action.”
He further stated that while students share responsibility in preparing for examinations, the authorities failed in ensuring conducive conditions, and it would be “utterly unjust to allow students to suffer the consequences of such gross institutional negligence.”
Atiku concluded his statement by urging relevant authorities to establish and enforce minimum environmental and infrastructural standards for all high-stakes national examinations to prevent a recurrence.
We must never allow such a shameful scenario to repeat itself — not under our watch,” he wrote
A similar situation was also reported at Government Secondary School, Namnai, in Taraba State, where candidates narrowly escaped injury after their classrooms collapsed during a storm on Wednesday evening.
ObasEmpire reports that viral videos on Wednesday revealed candidates sitting for the 2025 WASSCE English Language examination late at night without electricity, using lanterns and mobile phone flashlights.
The West African Examinations Council, attributed the delay in the conduct of the 2025 English Language paper on heightened efforts to curb examination malpractice, particularly the leakage of question papers.
However, the National Association of Nigerian Students condemned WAEC for the delay calling the shift of the exam from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. “insensitive” and a “gross disregard for the safety and well-being” of candidates, especially in rural areas.
NANS also criticized WAEC’s internal security lapses, arguing that students should not be made to suffer for the body’s failure to prevent examination malpractice.
Obasempire reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reaffirmed his dedication to resolving the multifaceted challenges plaguing Nigeria.
In a resolute address to the Nigerian populace, via his official handle on Thursday, he outlined comprehensive strategies aimed at alleviating the nation’s burdens.
“I am committed to evolving home-grown solutions to tackle our nation’s food security challenges head-on, including setting up schemes to bolster local food production and cut out all forms of rent-seeking tied to food importation,” affirmed Tinubu.
During an emergency meeting convened at the State House, Tinubu engaged with stakeholders, including all 36 state governors, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS, and select ministers. Discussions centered on critical issues such as security and economic stability.
Speaking on the imperative of safeguarding lives and property, Tinubu announced the establishment of a committee comprising state governors and federal representatives to explore the viability of implementing state police forces.
Additionally, he endorsed the training and deployment of forest rangers by sub-national governments to protect vital human and natural resources across communities.”I have instructed the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services to coordinate closely to ensure that security agencies in the states inspect such warehouses and take follow-up action,”
“We cannot allow speculators, hoarders, and rent seekers to undermine our efforts in ensuring that food is widely available to all Nigerians.”
“I will not establish a price control board, nor will I approve the importation of food. We must extricate ourselves from this predicament because importation only enables rent seekers to perpetrate fraud and mismanagement at our collective expense.”
“Instead, we will support our farmers with schemes that encourage them to cultivate more food for the nation.”
“We must also rapidly but thoughtfully implement our livestock development and management plans, including dairy farming and others.” Tinubu stated regarding reports of food hoarding in warehouses, particularly in Kano and other regions.
On the monetary front, Tinubu urged governors to entrust the Central Bank of Nigeria with the effective management of the nation’s monetary policy. He decried the disruptive impact of unfounded speculations on foreign exchange rates and called for adherence to designated institutional mandates.
“I urge all governors to trust the Central Bank of Nigeria with the management of our country’s monetary policy and emphasized the need for designated institutions to effectively fulfill their mandate,” Tinubu emphasized.
“The “cacophony of postulations” on the fluctuation of foreign exchange rates is adversely affecting the market. Not everyone can be an expert. If we have assigned someone a task, we must allow them to perform it. If they fail, then we must find a way to quickly remove them from the system,” he added.
In conclusion, Tinubu rallied leaders at all levels to unite in confronting Nigeria’s pressing challenges, underscoring the collective responsibility to secure a prosperous and stable future for all Nigerians.
“I also ask our governors to always prioritize the welfare and prosperity of our people in their development programs, and I asssure them that the federal government will continue to work diligently to improve the nation’s revenue profile.”
“As leaders, we must all work together to address issues of insecurity, food security, and out-of-school children,” he concluded.
