Abuja, Nigeria – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing fresh turmoil as two of its notable figures, Adekunle Akinlade and Istifanus Gyang, have officially resigned from the party, citing deepening internal crises, lack of transparency, and institutional bias.
From Ogun to Plateau: A Dual Blow to PDP
Adekunle Akinlade, the PDP’s 2023 deputy governorship candidate in Ogun State, announced his resignation on Monday. Akinlade, a former federal lawmaker who represented Yewa South/Ipokia in the House of Representatives, attributed his exit to “unjust internal practices” and what he described as a calculated marginalisation of his political bloc during party congresses.
In a statement he personally signed, Akinlade revealed that although his group’s verified register of 49,000 members was used during the initial ward congresses, it was later substituted with that of a rival faction—leading to what he called “unauthorised congress outcomes.”
“The sudden substitution of the validated register, and the imposition of unauthorised congress results, rendered the process unjust and unsustainable,” he said, adding that the actions sparked parallel congresses across all 236 wards and 20 LGAs in the state, which have now escalated to legal battles at the Court of Appeal.
Akinlade further accused the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) of colluding with the opposing faction. “Rather than act as an impartial arbiter, the NWC abandoned its constitutional duty and fuelled division,” he lamented.
He also pointed to the exclusion of his group from the South-West zonal congress as a sign that the PDP was no longer committed to internal reconciliation.
“I cannot continue to associate with a party whose internal processes are marred by selective justice,” he concluded, while promising to announce his next political step after due consultations with his “Triple-A Political Family” and other loyal supporters.
Gyang Bows Out in Plateau
In Plateau State, former Senator Istifanus Gyang also ended his long-standing affiliation with the PDP. In a resignation letter dated May 26, 2025, addressed to the PDP chairman in Rafau Ward, Barkin Ladi LGA, Gyang expressed disappointment with the party’s drift from democratic ideals.
Gyang, who served in the 9th National Assembly representing Plateau North and held the position of Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, accused the PDP of abandoning the core principles that once united its members.
“After nearly a decade of passionate membership and contribution to the PDP’s electoral successes, the party has lost its people-centered focus,” Gyang wrote.
He added that the PDP’s ability to promote the interests of Plateau State at the national level had become “feeble, if not lacking.”
Despite his exit, Gyang pledged to remain an advocate for fairness, inclusivity, and democratic governance. “I will continue to fight for open and people-oriented political engagement in Plateau and beyond,” he affirmed.
What This Means for PDP
The resignation of Akinlade and Gyang sends ripples through the PDP’s ranks, signaling potential fragmentation ahead of the next election cycle. As internal disputes and allegations of bias mount, political analysts say the opposition party must act swiftly to mend its fractures—or risk losing more key figures to rival platforms.
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