Former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Bolaji Abdullahi, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Abdullahi’s resignation was confirmed in a letter dated December 16, 2024, and addressed to the Ubandawaki Ward Chairman of the party in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The letter reads in part:
“I write to formally resign my membership of the PDP. I have had ample time to reflect, and I have come to the difficult conclusion that this is the only tenable option for me at this time.”
Abdullahi expressed gratitude to the party leadership for the opportunities he enjoyed, stating:
“Please permit me to express, through you, my gratitude to the leadership of the party for the opportunities that I have had to serve the state and the country on its platform, and for the great moments we have shared.”
No Immediate Plans for Defection
The former minister clarified that he is yet to decide on his next political move, saying:
“The decision of what to do and where to go will be taken in the future; that’s left to God.”
A Political Loyalist at Crossroads
Abdullahi, a longtime loyalist of former Senate President Bukola Saraki, previously served as Commissioner for Education and Senior Special Assistant on Strategy during Saraki’s tenure as Governor of Kwara State.
In the 2023 elections, Abdullahi contested for the Kwara Central Senatorial District under the PDP but lost to Salihu Mustapha of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A History of Political Shifts
This is not Abdullahi’s first resignation from a major political party. In 2018, he resigned as the APC National Publicity Secretary and defected to the PDP, citing disagreements with the APC leadership and aligning with Saraki.
Rising Defections to APC
Abdullahi’s departure comes amid a wave of defections to the APC. Recently, Dalyop Chollom, a Labour Party lawmaker representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency in Plateau State, joined the ruling party.
With Abdullahi’s resignation, political watchers are keenly observing his next steps as he navigates this pivotal moment in his career.
