Former Senator Phillip Aduda, who represented Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing internal crisis within the party.
Aduda’s departure was confirmed in a formal letter dated and addressed to the chairman of the PDP in Karu Ward, Abuja. The document, titled “Notice of Resignation of My membership from the PDP,” states his decision is effective immediately. The primary reason given is “the crisis in the party.”
In his resignation communication, Aduda expressed gratitude for the opportunities afforded to him by the PDP. “I remain grateful for the opportunity the party gave me to serve in various elective positions in our nation,” the letter reads. It concludes with a standard courtesy: “Please, accept the assurances of my high esteem.”
Aduda is a seasoned politician with significant experience in the national assembly. He served two terms as a senator for the FCT, most recently from 2019 to 2023. Prior to his Senate tenure, he was a member of the House of Representatives, also representing the FCT, from 2007 to 2015. His political career has been wholly within the PDP, making his resignation a notable development for the party in the capital territory.
The PDP, Nigeria’s main opposition party, has been navigating a period of intense internal discord and leadership challenges following its defeat in the 2023 presidential election. Aduda’s exit adds to the narrative of ongoing instability and potential defections ahead of future electoral cycles. His position as a former senator from the nation’s capital gives his decision particular symbolic weight.
While the resignation letter does not specify the nature of the “crisis,” it aligns with public reports of factional battles and grievances within the PDP’s national and state structures. Aduda’s next political alignment remains unannounced. His departure creates a vacancy in the party’s ranks in the FCT and may influence the political calculations of other members in the region. The party has yet to issue a formal response to his resignation. The move underscores the persistent challenges the PDP faces in maintaining cohesion as it strategizes for the next general elections.
