Former Senate President, Senator David Mark

Former Senate President David Mark has resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after 27 years of service, marking the end of an era for one of the party’s most loyal founding members.

In a letter dated June 27 and addressed to the PDP Chairman of his Otukpo Ward in Benue State, Mark cited deepening internal divisions and persistent leadership crises as key reasons for his decision. The letter was made available to the public on Wednesday.

“I write to formally inform you of my decision to resign my membership of the party with immediate effect,” he stated.

David Mark, who joined the PDP at its formation in 1998 and represented Benue South Senatorial District from 1999 to 2019, served as Senate President from 2007 to 2015. He was widely regarded as one of the most steadfast members of the party, remaining loyal even after its defeat in the 2015 general elections.

“Even when nearly all stakeholders departed the party following our loss in the 2015 presidential election, I pledged to remain the last man standing,” he wrote.

Despite his long-standing commitment to rebuilding and repositioning the PDP, Mark lamented that recent events had rendered the party “a shadow of its former self” and exposed it to public ridicule.

“Recent events marked by deepening divisions, persistent leadership crises, and irreconcilable differences have reduced the party to a shadow of its former self,” he said.

Mark revealed that his decision came after broad consultations with family members, political associates, and friends. He announced that he has joined the National Coalition of Political Opposition Movement in Nigeria, a newly formed alliance of opposition leaders seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

“I have resolved to join the National Coalition of Political Opposition Movement in Nigeria, as part of the collective effort to rescue our nation and preserve our hard-earned democracy,” he said.

See his letter below:

His departure marks his first ever defection from the PDP since its creation. It also signals growing momentum within the new opposition coalition, which includes notable figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former governors Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), and Babangida Aliyu (Niger).

In a communiqué released after a meeting yesterday, the coalition leaders called on Nigerians to unite under a broad political front committed to national unity, democratic values, security, economic revitalisation, and a strong anti-corruption agenda.

David Mark’s exit adds significant weight to the emerging coalition as it prepares to mount a formidable challenge in the 2027 general elections.