PDP will survive Atiku’s exit, according to Lagos PDP chieftain Prince Laja Adeoye. He insists the party will grow stronger before the 2027 general elections, despite the former vice president’s resignation.
Speaking in Lagos on Friday, Adeoye—who is contesting to represent Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency—dismissed claims that Atiku’s departure would weaken the party. He noted that Atiku had left the PDP before, and each time, the party continued without collapsing.
Atiku Abubakar, PDP’s presidential candidate in 2019 and 2023, announced his resignation on Wednesday. Although he hasn’t formally joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), his coalition of opposition figures recently adopted the ADC platform for the 2027 race.
Adeoye argued that Atiku’s ambition often destabilized the party. Therefore, his exit could restore calm and allow PDP to rebuild without internal power struggles. According to him, the exit might even help unify members around common goals.
He stated, “PDP will survive Atiku’s exit. One person does not define the destiny of a national party. We’ve seen this pattern before.”
Adeoye predicted that many politicians who followed Atiku to the ADC would eventually return. As PDP becomes stronger, he believes the limitations of the new alliance will become obvious. In his view, the ADC lacks the structure and reach needed to win national elections.
He said confidently, “They will come back. Many already realize there’s no clear political future in the ADC.”
While he supports a united opposition, Adeoye stressed that only the PDP has the strength to lead such a coalition. He believes that smaller parties lack the national spread and grassroots connection required to defeat the ruling party.
He added, “A coalition may work, but only when PDP leads. Anything else is simply wasting time.”
Several prominent leaders—including Peter Obi, Rauf Aregbesola, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi—have joined the ADC-aligned coalition. Still, Adeoye doubts their effort will last without the PDP’s leadership and political machinery.
His comments reflect the confidence many PDP loyalists now express. Rather than panic over Atiku’s resignation, they see it as an opportunity to restructure and rebuild.
Adeoye urged party members not to lose hope. He encouraged them to focus on internal unity, grassroots mobilization, and policy reforms. That way, the PDP can present a stronger front heading into 2027.
The statement that PDP will survive Atiku’s exit serves both as a reassurance and a challenge. It calls on the party to stop relying on individual figures and instead build on shared ideology, youth engagement, and national vision.
