RESIGNATION FROM PDP: TINUBU AND ATIKU MEN IN BITTER SPAT

The resignation of former Vice President ATIKU ABUBAKAR from the PDP has sparked a row between his men and those of President BOLA TINUBU. In his resignation letter dated July 14, 2025, and addressed to the PDP Chairman for Jada Ward One, in Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State, the two-time PDP presidential candidate in 2019 and 2023 cited irreconcilable differences within the former ruling party as the reason for his decision. TINUBU’s 2023 presidential campaign spokesman and current Minister of Aviation, FESTUS KEYAMO, faulted the timing of ATIKU’s resignation, saying it was meant to take the spotlight off the mourning of former President MUHAMMADU BUHARI. “Whilst I acknowledge that it is within your constitutional right to change political Parties at any time you may wish, however, releasing your letter of resignation from the PDP during this week of the mourning of our immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari, is clearly an attempt to draw the spotlight away from such a solemn occasion and direct it on yourself. In fact (as the image below shows) you prepared, typed, signed and delivered that letter the morning after the passing away of the former President was announced.” In a post on his X handle, KEYAMO also faulted ATIKU’s use of the Nigerian Coat of Arm on his Letterhead, saying it was morally and legally wrong, and amounted to impersonation of the authority which that symbol represents. “It is both morally and legally wrong to continue to use the Coat of Arms of the Federal Government in your private or political communications when you stopped being a functionary of the Federal Government more than 18 years ago. Section 6 of the Flag and Coat of Arms Act, Cap. F30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 makes this an offence” he noted. However, one of ATIKU ABUBAKAR’s spokespersons, PHRANK SHUAIBU, came under KAYAMO’s tweet to reminded him that the former Vice President honoured BUHARI with a dignified tribute. SHUAIBU also pointed out that some people within the APC administration, including the Presidential spokesman, BAYO ONANUGA, desecrate the memory of the late former president with what he called political venom, hours after his death was announced. “Ordinarily, your latest sanctimonious outburst would not deserve a response. But since you’ve taken it upon yourself to play the unsolicited role of moral compass in a government drowning in contradictions, it is only fair to set the record straight—if not for your sake, then for the benefit of the Nigerian public. “Let us begin with the obvious: you serve in an administration where a senior official, your colleague @aonanuga1956, had the moral indecency to publicly excoriate former President Muhammadu Buhari barely hours after his death was announced.” On KEYAMO’s concern about ATIKU’s use of the Coat of Arm, Phrank Shuaibu reminded him that his principal is a former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “The use of a ceremonial letterhead bearing the Coat of Arms on a formal letter of resignation is not an impersonation—it is a nod to the office he once held, much like former U.S. Presidents retain their presidential seals for formal communications. There is no confusion there—only the confusion of a man eager to pick a fight where none exists.” Similarly, UMAR SANI, who is another associate of ATIKU ABUBAKAR, accused KEYAMO of trying to make a political gain by linking his resignation letter from the PDP to the death of former President BUHARI. SANI noted that the resignation letter was addressed to the Ward Chairman of the PDP, Jada Ward 1, in Adamawa State, for internal documentation, but it was secretly leaked to the public. “It was formally addressed to the Ward Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Jada Ward 1, Adamawa State. That makes it a matter of party record not a clandestine or unilateral release. Furthermore, it is important to clarify that His Excellency was outside the country at the time of the unfortunate passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari. He had to do a detour to attend the funeral rites of the former President. There is no evidence that he personally released the letter to the public, nor that he traveled to Jada to submit it in person. Your conclusions on this matter are therefore not grounded in fact.” On his part, PAUL IBE, Media Adviser to ATIKU ABUBAKAR, said KAYAMO was majoring on the minor when he had issues to attend to in the Ministry of Aviation, and dismissed the claim of impersonation, and challenged the Aviation Minister to go to court if he thinks any law had been broken.