In a major political shift, former Senate President Senator David Mark has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—a party he has supported and defended for decades. His resignation, effective immediately, was confirmed in a letter dated June 27, addressed to his PDP Ward Chairman in Otukpo, Benue State, and obtained by The PUNCH.
“The PDP Is No Longer What It Used to Be”
In the resignation letter titled “Notice of Resignation from the PDP”, Senator Mark expressed deep disappointment with the current state of the party, citing internal divisions, leadership crises, and a loss of the core values that once defined the PDP.
“I have remained deeply committed to the ideals of the PDP, even when most members abandoned ship after the 2015 presidential loss. I pledged to be the last man standing,” Mark wrote.
Despite leading efforts to rebuild and reposition the PDP in the years following its national defeat, Mark admitted that the party has continued to spiral into dysfunction, reducing its credibility and subjecting it to public embarrassment.
Why He’s Leaving
Senator Mark pointed to:
- Persistent leadership wrangling
- Irreconcilable internal factions
- The party’s inability to reform itself
These issues, he said, have made the PDP a shadow of its former self, rendering it ineffective as a true opposition force.
What’s Next: A New Political Path
After what he described as “wide consultations with family, friends, and political associates,” Mark revealed he is now joining the newly formed National Coalition of Political Opposition Movement—a broader alliance of parties and stakeholders united to “rescue Nigeria and protect democracy.”
This coalition reportedly includes other top political figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Aminu Tambuwal, and others dissatisfied with the current state of Nigeria’s political environment.
Context: A Growing Shift Ahead of 2027
Mark’s resignation adds to the growing wave of high-profile exits from the PDP as 2027 elections approach. Many political veterans are abandoning long-held party loyalties to form or join coalitions they believe can offer credible alternatives to the ruling APC.
With public trust in major parties dwindling and governance challenges piling up, Nigeria’s political scene appears to be entering a realignment phase—with a potentially powerful third-force movement emerging on the horizon
Final Thoughts
Senator David Mark’s exit from the PDP isn’t just the end of an era—it might be the beginning of a new political awakening in Nigeria. Whether the new coalition he’s joined will have the structure and unity to challenge the status quo remains to be seen, but the message is clear: business as usual in Nigerian politics is no longer acceptable.
