2027: Mass Resignations Rock Niger PDP Over Leadership Crisis

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State has been plunged into fresh crisis following the resignation of Engr. Abdullahi Isah Jankara and thousands of party members, raising concerns about the party’s cohesion as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.

The mass resignation followed a tense meeting held over the weekend in Lapai Local Government Area, where aggrieved party members confronted the state leadership over unresolved grievances bordering on internal democracy, transparency and inclusiveness.

Sources at the meeting said discussions quickly turned heated as members openly questioned the credibility of the party’s leadership and expressed frustration over what they described as long-standing neglect of grassroots stakeholders. Rather than calming frayed nerves, the meeting reportedly exposed deep divisions that had been festering within the party for months.

Addressing party members, Engr. Jankara spoke on controversies arising from the party’s congresses and recent council elections, offering clarifications on disputed outcomes while acknowledging the depth of anger and disappointment among members.

He expressed regret over the leadership’s alleged failure to fulfil promises made to loyal party members, noting that repeated appeals for internal reforms were ignored.

“We have exhausted all internal avenues to address these issues, but nothing has changed,” Jankara was quoted as saying. “The party leadership has continued to shut its ears to genuine concerns from the grassroots.”

According to him, the persistent disregard for members’ welfare and input left him and many others with no choice but to quit the party.

Those at the meeting reportedly reached a consensus that the PDP had fallen short in key areas, including transparency, inclusion and respect for ward-level decision-making.

They argued that these failures had alienated grassroots supporters and weakened the party’s structure across the state.

The aggrieved members also linked their grievances to broader national challenges facing the PDP, blaming unresolved leadership tussles and internal conflicts at the national level for encouraging indiscipline and weakening accountability within state and local chapters.

The development is seen as a major setback for the PDP in Niger State, as political parties intensify mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections. Party leaders in the state were yet to issue an official response to the resignations as of the time of filing this report.