The Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Lere Olayinka, has reacted sharply to the resignation of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing it as “good riddance to bad rubbish.”
Atiku announced his departure from the PDP in a letter dated July 16, 2025, addressed to the chairman of his Jada 1 Ward in Adamawa State. He cited “irreconcilable differences” and called the move “heartbreaking,” given his status as a founding member of the party.
Speaking during a Channels Television interview on Thursday, Olayinka mocked Atiku’s frequent defections over the years. “Since 2007, he has been leaving. So if he chose to leave now, fine. The party can now begin to look at itself and bring itself together again,” he said.
He further alleged that Atiku’s actions had historically undermined the PDP, citing his involvement in the party’s failed bid to win Lagos State in 2003 and his defection to the Action Congress while still serving as vice president in 2007. “The only thing important to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is Atiku and Abubakar,” Olayinka said.
The aide also criticised the former vice president for releasing his resignation during the national mourning period for the late President Muhammadu Buhari. “He could not even wait for the seven days mourning period of Buhari to end before making a political decision,” he noted.
Olayinka expressed doubt about Atiku’s new coalition with the African Democratic Congress, warning that the former PDP leader might return to the party if things don’t go as planned. “After this experiment in their coalition—what I call a coalition of confusion—he will still leave and probably come back to the PDP,” he predicted.
While calling for introspection within the PDP, Olayinka noted that time may be too short to reposition the party before the 2027 general elections.
