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Former President of the Senate and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator David Mark, has officially resigned from the party, marking the end of a decades-long association with Nigeria’s once-dominant political platform.
His departure comes amid growing internal strife within the PDP and signals a realignment of political forces ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a formal resignation letter dated June 27 and personally signed, David Mark informed members of his Otukpo Ward 1 in Benue State — and by extension the larger PDP family — of his decision to immediately withdraw his membership from the party. He cited worsening leadership disputes and unresolved internal divisions as the primary reasons for his exit.
“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,” he began in his statement. “I write to formally inform you of my decision to resign my membership of the party with immediate effect.”
Mark noted that he had remained a steadfast and loyal member of the PDP even during its most trying times, particularly after its defeat in the 2015 presidential election, when many high-ranking stakeholders abandoned ship.
“I pledged to remain the last man standing,” he said. “I worked tirelessly to rebuild, reconcile, and reposition the party to national relevance — an effort that restored the PDP as a viable choice for many Nigerians.”
However, the former Senate President expressed deep disappointment in the party’s recent trajectory. “Persistent leadership crises and irreconcilable differences have reduced the PDP to a shadow of its former self,” he lamented. “These issues have dragged the party into public ridicule and have left it incapable of fulfilling its founding vision.”
Mark further revealed that his decision to leave the PDP was made after extensive consultations with family, political allies, and close associates. He confirmed that he has now joined a newly formed National Coalition of Political Opposition Movements in Nigeria — a broad alliance formed to challenge the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and to safeguard the country’s democratic process.
As part of its strategic political positioning, the coalition announced on Tuesday that it had adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its operating platform ahead of the 2027 elections. With this move, the ADC is set to become the central hub for opposition activities nationwide.
In a major leadership shake-up, David Mark was appointed as the interim national chairman of the ADC, while former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, was named the party’s interim national secretary. Their appointments underscore the coalition’s intention to harness seasoned political actors to reconfigure Nigeria’s opposition landscape.
Mark’s defection represents a significant shift in Nigeria’s political dynamics, as it not only signals his departure from the PDP but also boosts the credibility and visibility of the ADC and the broader opposition alliance preparing for the next general elections.