A former House of Representatives aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof. Abiodun Raufu, has resigned from the party, citing lingering internal crisis and deviation from its founding ideals.
In a resignation dated 27 May 2026, and addressed to the party leadership at both the ward and local government levels, Raufu, who was to contest for the party’s ticket in Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency of Oyo State, announced his withdrawal from the PDP and the return of his party membership card as part of the formal disengagement process.
The former Editor of Nigerian Tribune, who is currently a Professor of Criminal Justice in the United States, said his decision came after prolonged observation of developments within the party, noting that the internal divisions and leadership struggles had become incompatible with the values on which the PDP was founded in 1999.
According to him, ‘the fragmentation of the party by a few selfish politicians whose crass ambition clashes with the founding principles upon which the party was founded’ had made it necessary for ‘decent people’ to distance themselves from the situation.
Raufu stated that although many politicians had either defected quietly or remained within the party while supporting rival political platforms, he delayed his resignation to fully understand how the crisis within the PDP would unfold.
He clarified that his resignation was not motivated by plans to join another political party or contest any elective office in the current electoral cycle.
Rather, he explained that his decision was intended to give him the freedom to support candidates across party lines whose visions and political ideals align with his own.
Raufu also stressed that he did not want to find himself in a position where he could be accused of engaging in anti-party activities.
‘This letter is therefore for record purposes’, he emphasised.
The resignation adds to the growing list of defections and withdrawals currently affecting the PDP across several states ahead of future political realignments and elections.
