In a move emblematic of the deepening fractures within Nigeria’s opposition ranks, Barrister Murtala Mohammed, the State Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State, has officially severed ties with the party after nearly three decades of membership.
In a letter dated July 4, 2025, and addressed to the PDP Ward Chairman of Nassarawa ‘A’ Ward in Chanchaga Local Government Area, Mohammed cited “recent disheartening political developments” as the final straw. Though brief in tone, the resignation carried the weight of a long, loyal tenure ending with quiet disenchantment.
“I have diligently contributed to the growth and progress of the party at different levels,” he wrote, referencing his journey from a pioneer delegate in 1999 to his current role as State Legal Adviser. The letter was copied to the state party chairman and came with the return of his original membership card—an unmistakable message: this departure is final.
Mohammed stopped short of naming names or detailing the specific events that prompted his resignation. However, he made it clear the decision was grounded in both personal conviction and broader discontent among his supporters.
He pledged to continue working for the development of Niger State and Nigeria at large—“through alternative political platforms”—leaving open the possibility of realignment with another party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The exit adds to a growing list of PDP figures walking away or defecting in recent weeks, as Nigeria’s political map begins to shift ahead of the next major electoral cycle. For the PDP in Niger, already contending with internal divisions and a resurgent All Progressives Congress (APC), Mohammed’s departure is both symbolic and strategic.
His absence will be felt not just in the legal corridors of the party but in its narrative—one increasingly shaped by who leaves, and why.
