Adamu Waziri, a founding member and influential figure within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has formally ended his decades-long affiliation with the party, announcing his resignation on Monday at his Dogo Tebo Ward in Potiskum, Yobe State.
The former Minister of Police Affairs and serving member of the PDP’s Board of Trustees cited his disillusionment with the party’s direction and leadership as the primary reason for his departure.
Waziri explained that his resignation was done in strict accordance with the PDP’s internal guidelines, which stipulate that such decisions must originate at the ward level. In a brief but pointed address to party supporters and community members, he emphasized that the PDP had ceased to embody the ideals of a functional opposition party.
“I was a member of PDP, and due to the exigencies of the moment and in the interest of the nation, I have decided to resign,” Waziri said. He noted that the decision was not taken lightly but was a necessary step to align with a movement that he believes is better suited to address Nigeria’s current democratic and governance challenges.
By joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Waziri signaled a shift in the political tide, especially in the northeastern region where he holds considerable sway. He appealed to his political base and supporters to make the move with him, framing it as a step toward rebuilding faith in Nigeria’s political future and offering a more effective platform for national development.
“The PDP no longer reflects the values of a credible opposition,” Waziri remarked. “The current leadership has lost its way, and it is time to look elsewhere for hope and renewal.”
Waziri’s decision sparked immediate ripple effects. Malam Muhammad Bomai, the PDP Ward Chairman in Potiskum and a long-time ally of Waziri, also declared his exit from the party during the event. Representing the local party leadership, Bomai expressed sadness over Waziri’s departure but affirmed his own decision to follow suit by joining the ADC.
“Waziri has been an institution within the PDP, and we will feel his absence deeply,” Bomai stated. “But I share his vision for a better Nigeria, and I am also resigning from the PDP to join the ADC.”
Waziri’s defection marks a significant blow to the PDP, especially as it struggles to maintain unity and relevance amid growing internal dissent and competition from emerging coalitions and movements ahead of the 2027 general elections. The departure of such a senior figure—combined with local leadership backing—suggests a broader realignment in opposition politics may be underway.
His switch to the ADC also comes amid a larger conversation among opposition leaders and groups seeking to forge stronger alliances to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next election cycle.
As the PDP faces mounting pressure to reform, retain its base, and redefine its mission, Waziri’s departure underscores the growing impatience among veteran politicians who feel the party has drifted from its founding principles and lost its effectiveness as a platform for democratic change.
What You Should Know
Adamu Waziri, a founding member of the PDP and respected political figure in Yobe State, has defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing the PDP’s failure to act as a credible opposition.
His resignation was accompanied by that of his local ward chairman, indicating a possible shift in political loyalties within the region.
