Philip Aduda, the Senator who represented the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the 7th, 8th, and 9th Senates, has resigned from the main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
He cited the ongoing crisis within the party as the reason for his decision.
Aduda’s resignation was detailed in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the PDP in the Karu ward of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), which is located in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.
The resignation letter titled: “Notice of Resignation of My Membership From The People’s Democratic Party (PDP)” dated March 17, 2026.
Former Senator of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Philip Aduda, is currently in a closed-door meeting with the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and some National Working Committee (NWC) members.
Aduda arrived at the party’s National secretariat in the company of the newly elected chairman of Bwari Area Council, Hon. Joshua Ishakwu, and his Kuje Area Council counterpart, Hon. Danjuma Shekwkolo.
This comes after the former Federal lawmaker officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party, citing ongoing crises within the party.
A former Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Philip Tanimu Aduda, has formally resigned his membership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), citing the protracted internal crisis rocking the opposition party.
Aduda, who served in the 7th, 8th and 9th National Assemblies between 2011 and 2023, conveyed his decision in a resignation letter dated March 17, 2026, and addressed to the PDP Chairman of Karu Ward in Abuja.
In the letter, the former lawmaker said his exit from the party takes immediate effect, attributing his decision to the lingering instability and unresolved disputes within the PDP.
“I write to formally notify you of my resignation as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect due to the crisis in the party,” Aduda stated.
He, however, expressed appreciation to the party for the platform it provided him over the years, noting that it enabled him to serve in various elective capacities.
“I remain grateful for the opportunity the party gave me to serve in various elective positions in our nation,” he added.
Aduda’s resignation is the latest in a string of high-profile defections and exits that have continued to weaken the PDP ahead of future political contests, raising concerns over the party’s cohesion and electoral viability.
Last week, a wave of defections hit the House of Representatives on Thursday as Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu announced the defection of 12 lawmakers from different political parties.
Six members formally moved from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), while six others left the Young Progressives Party (YPP) and Labour Party (LP) to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Announcing this development in a video, Deputy Speaker Kalu said: “Honourable James, yes please. We have seen the reason you are due is the basic reason that most of the people who have left PDP have our dues, and you like what the president is doing with APC, so you are welcome on board. I will list all the people who are doing the same, and then tomorrow at the end of the announcement, you will come and have a photograph with the presiding officer.”
He added that some lawmakers were not physically present for the announcement, stressing that their defection letters would be formally read when they arrived in the chamber.
The Deputy Speaker formally welcomed the first batch of PDP members moving to APC. “We have Right Honourable Bamisele Komolafe Beatrice Lowery, and it has to do with notice of political realignment from PDP to APC. Honourable Komolafe, you are welcome to APC. Please sit down and later on we’ll invite you to the presiding officer. Yes, he deserves that hand clap. APC, you can clap for him.”
Another lawmaker, Peter Ifeanyi Uzokwe, who is leaving YPP for ADC, was also recognised. “Mr. Ifeanyi is defecting from YPP to ADC. He is notifying the house. The house is hereby notified,” Kalu said.
The Deputy Speaker further announced other defections.
“There is also a notification of resignation from Labour Party and a movement into ADC. This is coming from Honourable Shuaib Abiola Sowunmi. He is not in the house now, but we will announce it when he is present,” he said.
Other PDP lawmakers joining APC included Muktar Aliyu Betara and Zakari Dauda Nyampa. Kalu welcomed them, saying, “Honourable Betara is resigning publicly and courageously from PDP to APC. You are welcome to the largest party in the black race. Honourable Zakari Dauda Nyampa is also moving from PDP to APC.”
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR LAWYERS: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
Reimagine your practice with the power of AI “...this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic.” — Ohio Books Ltd
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe, Esq., ACIArb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
Bonus:
Get a FREE eBook titled “How to Use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion” with every purchase.
How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access directly online at: https://selar.com/prv626
________________________________________________________________________ The Law And Practice Of Redundancy In Nigeria: A Practitioner’s Guide, Authored By A Labour & Employment Law Expert Bimbo Atilola
_______________________________________________________________________
