ABUJA, Nigeria — Former Senator Dino Melaye has formally resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing the party’s alleged inability to offer credible opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Melaye’s resignation was conveyed in a letter dated Friday, July 4, 2025, addressed to the PDP ward chairman in his hometown of Aiyeroro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
In the letter, the former lawmaker stated that his decision was driven by the PDP’s “lack of potency and capacity” to rescue Nigeria from what he described as the “prevailing political cankerworms” under the APC.
“I hereby tender my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at all levels of involvement,” Melaye wrote.
“This decision has become imperative due to the party’s lack of potency and capacity to deliver the Nigerian people from the prevailing political cankerworms that have eaten deeply into the fabric of our dear nation.”
Melaye, who represented Kogi West Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly (2015–2019), is widely known for his dramatic oratory and political activism.
He is also a close ally of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and a prominent voice in Nigeria’s opposition politics.
He is currently affiliated with the opposition coalition that recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform for the 2027 general elections.
Melaye’s departure comes months after his suspension by the PDP ward chapter in Aiyeroro Gbede.
In September 2024, the ward executive accused him of anti-party activities and alleged that he ignored a disciplinary summons issued in August of that year.
Although Melaye did not directly reference the suspension in his resignation letter, he made it clear that he could “no longer in good conscience participate in the activities of the party or lend [his] support to her agenda.”
