Ex-Senate President, David Mark Dumps PDP, Joins Opposition Coalition

Former President of the Nigerian Senate, David Mark, has formally resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

This move marks the end of Mark’s decades-long association with the PDP, a political party he once helped build from the ground up.

In a letter dated June 27 and addressed to the PDP leadership in Otukpo Ward 1, Benue State, Mark cited unresolved leadership crises and deep divisions within the party as reasons for his exit.

His resignation comes on the heels of his appointment as one of the interim leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which now forms part of a new opposition coalition aiming to challenge the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Mark, who served as Senate President from 2007 to 2015, did not mince words in expressing disappointment with the direction of the PDP.

“The irreconcilable differences in the PDP have subjected the party to public ridicule and reduced it to a shadow of its former self,” he stated.

He added that after investing years of loyalty and hard work into rebuilding and repositioning the party, the current internal conflicts have made it impossible for him to remain.

Don’t miss out on any real-time information. Join our WhatsApp group to stay updated.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

Reflecting on his time in the PDP, Mark recalled how he remained loyal even when many prominent figures exited the party after its defeat in the 2015 presidential election.

“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,” he wrote.

“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.”

Mark said his decision to leave the PDP was taken after extensive consultations with his family, friends, and political associates.

“After wide consultations, 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,” he announced.

The move adds significant political weight to the newly formed opposition coalition, which includes key figures across party lines seeking to mount a unified challenge to the APC in the 2027 elections.

Mark’s departure from the PDP is seen by analysts as a major blow to the party’s influence in Benue and across the North-Central region, where he has long been regarded as a political heavyweight.