The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Abdulmumin Abdulsalami, has resigned from the party, accusing influential leaders of injustice, exclusion and interference in its internal affairs.
Abdulsalami announced his resignation in a letter addressed to the National Chairman of the party, Senator Moses Cleopas, through his former ward chairman in Nagazi Ward, Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
In the letter titled, “Letter of Resignation from the Nigeria Democratic Congress: Withdrawal from All Partisan Commitments to the Party,” the former party official said his decision followed persistent disagreements with powerful figures whose interests, according to him, were at variance with his contributions to the party.
Describing himself as a foundation member and one of the party’s formative leaders, Abdulsalami said he could no longer remain in an organisation where his efforts were allegedly undermined.
He said: “As a foundation member of the NDC, ditto a critical formative leader in the party, I am compelled to voluntarily take the exit having realised that my sincere and positive contributions to the meteoric rise and success of the party are at odds with the vested interests of a few powerful officers who call the shots.
“More so, this painstaking decision serves my best interest as I prioritise my peace of mind rather than recurrent complaints at the sight of a series of injustices meted out to me.”
Abdulsalami previously served as the party’s Protem Chairman in Kogi State before his elevation to Deputy National Publicity Secretary. He also held the position of Deputy National Director for Labour and Civil Society.
He acknowledged the support of the party’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, as well as colleagues, civil society activists and media practitioners who contributed to the party’s development.
Speaking on his next political move, Abdulsalami said he had decided to return to private life rather than continue in an environment where he felt excluded.
“I am calling it quits and heading back home to avoid orchestrated melodrama of exclusion from party affairs. I love you all, but I love myself and my mental sanity most,” he said.
He, however, declined to identify the party officials allegedly responsible for his grievances.
Insider alleges prolonged marginalisation
An insider within the party described Abdulsalami’s resignation as the culmination of a troubled relationship with the NDC leadership.
The source alleged that despite his contributions to the party from its formative stage, the former deputy publicity secretary had neither received a salary nor an operational budget.
According to the source, Abdulsalami was also gradually sidelined from the National Working Committee despite being among the party’s founding members.
“His leaving the party, to many of us, is the only choice,” the source said, adding that he had contemplated leaving since October but was persuaded to remain by Senator Dickson.
However, the National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Osa Director, dismissed suggestions of an internal crisis, insisting that the resignation of one member should not be interpreted as evidence of division within the party.
“There is no internal wrangling in the party. The exit of one person is not enough to conclude, especially as we also witness influx of a lot of people into the party every day,” he said.
NDC faces structural disagreements
Abdulsalami’s departure comes amid disagreements over the leadership, organisation and control of political structures within the NDC, particularly following the entry of former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The two politicians formally joined the party on May 3, 2026, after leaving the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Before their arrival, the NDC had maintained an existing political structure across the country. Its National Chairman, Cleopas Moses, had earlier maintained that the party possessed structures in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory before the politicians joined.
Although he acknowledged that their entrance strengthened the party, disagreements subsequently emerged over the relationship between the party and the political movement associated with the two politicians.
The disagreement became particularly pronounced between the NDC and the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, popularly known as the OK Movement, following the group’s rejection of suggestions that its structures should be integrated into the party.
The movement’s Director-General, John Ughulu, insisted that it would retain its national, state, local government and ward structures rather than surrender them to the NDC.
But Dickson maintained that political movements should complement political parties rather than operate parallel structures or compete with them.
The former Bayelsa State governor also criticised the movement’s decision to establish a presidential campaign council, describing the move as “unheard of” and “nonsensical”.
Ughulu, however, maintained that the OK Movement was an independent political organisation and not merely a conventional support group.
More departures from Obi’s political camp
The latest development also comes against the backdrop of other changes within Obi’s political camp.
On Wednesday, Yunusa Tanko, Obi’s former Political Adviser for Northern Nigeria and immediate past National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, emerged as the National Coordinator of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Presidential Campaign Council.
Tanko had resigned from Obi’s political team on October 30, 2026, announcing his return to the National Consultative Front, where he serves as co-chairman.
He subsequently confirmed that he had formally resigned his appointment with Obi before accepting the SDP offer.
Tanko was a prominent figure in Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign and played a significant role in mobilising supporters through the Obidient Movement.
His departure from Obi’s political team, though not from the NDC, followed the earlier exit of another Obi loyalist, Nana Kazaure, who joined the campaign team of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, the developments present fresh questions about the cohesion, internal management and political coordination of the NDC as it seeks to consolidate its national structures and position itself for the forthcoming electoral contest.