More Leaders Exit PDP as Isa Ashiru Resigns

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continues to grapple with internal challenges as more prominent members leave the party, following the resignation of Rt. Hon. Isa Ashiru, its 2023 governorship candidate in Kaduna State.

Ashiru officially announced his departure on Monday, attributing his decision to ongoing internal crises and deep divisions within the party. In a resignation letter dated March 27, 2026, and addressed to the PDP Ward Chairman in Kudan Local Government Area of Kaduna State, he said the situation had made it difficult for him to remain an active member.

“I write with a deep sense of humility to formally notify the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of my decision to resign my membership of the party effective from March 27, 2026,” he stated.

He explained that persistent leadership struggles, conflicts, and disunity within the party informed his decision, describing it as a personal step taken in good faith. Despite his exit, Ashiru reaffirmed his commitment to public service and the pursuit of unity, progress, and good governance.

Ashiru, a businessman and traditional titleholder (Sarkin Bai Zazzau), previously represented the Makarfi/Kudan Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. He contested the 2023 Kaduna State governorship election but lost to incumbent Governor Uba Sani of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a contest influenced by the PDP’s internal discord.

His resignation is widely seen as a prelude to joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with supporters already welcoming the move as a potential boost to opposition politics in Kaduna ahead of the 2027 elections.

The PDP has recently witnessed a wave of defections across several states, including Taraba, Ondo, and Ebonyi, with many members joining the APC. These developments, driven by internal disputes and shifting political loyalties, have significantly weakened the party’s structure as it prepares for future electoral contests.