Former Senate President Ends Decades-Long Ties with Party He Helped Found
In a major political shift, former Senate President David Mark has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ending a decades-long association with the party he helped establish and shape.
In a letter dated June 27 and addressed to PDP leadership in Otukpo Ward 1, Benue State, Mark cited unresolved leadership crises and deep internal divisions as the reasons for his exit.
“The irreconcilable differences in the PDP have subjected the party to public ridicule and reduced it to a shadow of its former self,” he wrote.
Mark’s resignation comes shortly after his appointment as one of the interim leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a coalition-backed platform gaining traction as part of a broader opposition movement in Nigeria. His move is seen as a significant development in the country’s evolving political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reflecting on his loyalty to the PDP, Mark noted that he had remained committed to the party through its toughest times, including its defeat in the 2015 presidential election.
“I pledged to remain the last man standing when others walked away,” he said. “I worked tirelessly to rebuild, reconcile, and reposition the party, and these efforts helped restore it to national relevance.”
However, he lamented that the party’s current state no longer aligns with its founding ideals, pointing to persistent internal crises that have plagued the PDP in recent years.
Mark revealed that his decision to leave the PDP followed broad consultations with his family, political allies, and close associates.
“I have resolved to join the National Coalition of Political Opposition Movement in Nigeria, as part of a collective effort to rescue our nation and preserve our hard-earned democracy,” he announced.
Mark’s departure is expected to further reshape the opposition landscape and could embolden ongoing efforts to form a unified front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the run-up to the 2027 general elections.
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