The Unwavering Foundation of Adamawa PDP: Atiku’s Departure and the Party’s Indomitable Spirit
The political landscape of Adamawa State has witnessed a significant shift with the departure of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). However, the Adamawa State chapter of the PDP remains resolute, asserting that Atiku’s exit will not diminish its prospects in the 2027 general elections. The party’s confidence stems from its deep roots within the state, its strong organizational structure, and the unwavering support of the Adamawa people. This conviction is echoed by key party figures who view Atiku’s departure not as a setback, but potentially as an opportunity for renewed growth and consolidation of power.
Hamza Madagali, the state organizing secretary, underscores the minimal impact of Atiku’s move by highlighting the limited number of party members who followed him to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Out of over 286 state executives across local governments and wards, only three individuals – the Jada Local Government PDP chairman, the women leader, and a ward executive member – joined Atiku in his new political venture. This negligible attrition within the party’s ranks reinforces the narrative of a robust and resilient PDP structure in Adamawa State. Madagali emphasizes the party’s status as an institution deeply entrenched in the state’s political fabric, built by the collective will of the people and not solely reliant on individual personalities.
Further bolstering this perspective, Luka Tizhe Tumba, a prominent party chieftain from Michika Local Government, portrays Atiku’s departure as a positive development, a “prayer answered by God.” Tumba argues that Atiku’s presence within the PDP had become an impediment, particularly during elections. He asserts that the people of Adamawa have not reaped tangible political benefits from Atiku’s leadership, both during his tenure as Vice President and subsequently. Tumba’s view reflects a sentiment within the party that Atiku’s influence had become more of a liability than an asset. He contends that only the departure of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, not Atiku, could truly destabilize the PDP in Adamawa, emphasizing the governor’s pivotal role in the party’s current standing. He dismisses other political figures in the state as “commanders without troops,” implying their lack of substantial grassroots support.
Barrister Tahir Shehu, the state chairman of the PDP, echoes the unwavering confidence in the party’s future. He underscores Adamawa’s historical alignment with the PDP, recalling Atiku’s own gubernatorial victory in 1999 on the party’s platform, which subsequently propelled him to the vice presidency. Shehu attributes the PDP’s sole electoral defeat in the state to the imposition of a candidate from Abuja during the 2015 presidential election under President Goodluck Jonathan. He highlights this incident as a testament to the independent will of Adamawa voters who rejected external interference, further emphasizing the party’s deep-rooted connection with the electorate.
The PDP’s resurgence in 2019, reclaiming its mandate under Governor Fintiri, is presented as further evidence of its resilience and enduring popularity. Shehu confidently projects that the PDP, under Fintiri’s leadership, will remain unchallenged in the 2027 elections. He dismisses the notion that Atiku’s exit could significantly impact the party’s fortunes, citing the overwhelming support the PDP enjoys from the people of Adamawa. This steadfast belief in the party’s enduring strength underlines the narrative of a PDP deeply embedded in the state’s political landscape, unshaken by individual departures.
In summary, the Adamawa State chapter of the PDP views Atiku Abubakar’s departure not as a debilitating blow, but as a minor event with minimal impact on its long-term prospects. The party leadership emphasizes the PDP’s strong grassroots presence, its resilient organizational structure, and the unwavering support of the Adamawa people. They portray Atiku’s exit as an opportunity for renewed focus and consolidation of power under Governor Fintiri’s leadership. The prevailing sentiment within the party is one of confidence and optimism, looking towards the 2027 elections with the firm belief that the PDP’s dominance in Adamawa State will remain unchallenged. The departure of a single individual, even one of Atiku’s stature, is seen as insignificant compared to the collective strength and deep-rooted foundation of the PDP within the state.
