Former Senate President David Mark has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing persistent internal divisions, leadership crises, and irreconcilable differences that have reduced the party to a shadow of its former self.
In a letter dated June 27 and addressed to the PDP Chairman in his Otukpo Ward, Benue State, Mark lamented the state of the party, which he helped found in 1998, and announced his departure after nearly three decades of loyal membership.
“I bring warm greetings to you and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Otukpo Ward 1, and by extension, to the entire Benue State and Nigeria. I write to formally inform you of my decision to resign my membership of the party with immediate effect,” Mark wrote.
He recalled his commitment during the PDP’s most challenging periods:
“You may recall that over the years, I have remained firm and deeply committed to the ideals of the PDP.
“Even when nearly all stakeholders departed the party following our loss in the 2015 presidential election, I pledged to remain the last man standing.
“I have worked steadfastly to rebuild, reconcile, and reposition the party, efforts which, without sounding immodest, helped restore the PDP to national relevance and made it once again a party of choice for many Nigerians.”
However he said recent developments within the PDP had forced him to reconsider, “Recent events marked by deepening divisions, persistent leadership crisis, and irreconcilable differences have reduced the party to a shadow of its former self, subjecting it to public ridicule.”
He added: “After wide consultations with my family, friends, and political associates, I have resolved to join the National Coalition of Political Opposition Movement in Nigeria, as part of the collective effort to rescue our nation and preserve our hard-earned democracy.”
Mark served in the Senate for 16 years, representing Benue South from 1999 to 2019, and was Senate President from 2007 to 2015. His resignation marks his first-ever defection from the PDP.
He joins opposition figures including Atiku Abubakar, Aminu Tambuwal, Sule Lamido, Liyel Imoke, and Babangida Aliyu in what appears to be a coordinated political front to challenge the Bola Tinubu presidency in 2027.
