The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has been hit by two high-profile departures within hours, with its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Abdulmumin Abdulsalami, resigning over alleged internal injustice and the influence of powerful party officials, shortly after Peter Obi’s political adviser, Yunusa Tanko, left for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Abdulsalami announced his resignation with immediate effect in a letter addressed to the NDC National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, through his ward chairman in Kogi State, alleging that vested interests within the party had frustrated his contributions to its development.
His departure came barely hours after Tanko, a former National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement and Political Adviser (North) to NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi, reportedly joined the SDP to serve as National Coordinator of its Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The two departures have raised questions about internal cohesion within the NDC as political parties intensify preparations for the next presidential election.
In his resignation letter, Abdulsalami said he had withdrawn from all technical and political responsibilities undertaken at the instance of the party’s national leadership.
“With a deep sense of gratitude to almighty Allah, I hereby notify the national and sub-national organs of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), through my former ward chairman, of my resignation from the party,” he stated.
“I have also, by this notification, withdrawn from all ongoing technical and political commitments entered into at the pleasure of the National Leader of the NDC.”
Abdulsalami, who described himself as a foundation member and key figure in the party’s formative years, alleged that his contributions to its growth had become incompatible with the interests of influential officials.
“As a foundation member of the NDC, ditto a critical formative leader in the party, I am compelled to voluntarily take the exit having realized that my sincere and positive contributions to the meteoric rise and success of the party are at odds with the vested interests of a few powerful officers who call the shots,” he said.
He further alleged that he had repeatedly suffered unfair treatment within the party, explaining that his decision to resign was informed by the need to protect his personal well-being.
“More so, this painstaking decision serves my best interest as I prioritise my peace of mind rather than recurrent complaints at the sight of series of injustice meted out to me,” Abdulsalami stated.
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The former deputy spokesman did not identify the officials he accused of wielding excessive influence or provide specific details of the alleged injustice.
Despite his grievances, Abdulsalami expressed appreciation to the NDC National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, for the opportunities he had received to serve in various capacities.
He recalled serving as the party’s Kogi State Protem Chairman, Deputy National Publicity Secretary and pioneer spokesperson, as well as Deputy National Director for Labour and Civil Society.
“More so, I wish to sincerely appreciate the opportunity given to me by the National Leader of the NDC, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson to have served, firstly, as the Kogi State Protem Chairman, secondly, as the Deputy National Publicity Secretary/pioneer Spokesperson of the NDC, and, finally, as the Deputy National Director for Labour and Civil Society of the party,” he said.
Abdulsalami also thanked colleagues, civil society activists and journalists who worked with him during his involvement in the party’s establishment and political activities.
“And to my erstwhile colleague-friends, civil society activists and media practitioners with whom I have worked assiduously to promote the party, I cannot thank you enough for the comradeship and support you all have accorded me since the infancy of the party, and throughout my partisan stewardship thereupon,” he added.
His resignation followed Tanko’s reported departure from the NDC political camp to assume a campaign leadership role in the SDP.
Tanko’s move is particularly notable because of his previous leadership of the Obidient Movement and his position as Political Adviser (North) to Obi, who is identified in the report as the NDC presidential candidate.
Although the two resignations occurred within hours of each other, no evidence has been presented to establish that the departures were coordinated or directly connected.
Abdulsalami’s allegations nevertheless bring internal disagreements within the NDC into sharper focus at a time when political parties are positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
As of the time of the report, the NDC leadership had not been quoted responding to Abdulsalami’s allegations or explaining the circumstances surrounding the two departures.
Friday Olokor
