The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Abdulmumin Abdulsalami, has resigned from the party, accusing influential members of marginalisation, interference and injustice.
Abdulsalami conveyed his decision in a resignation letter addressed to the party’s National Chairman, 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,” he said he was leaving after becoming convinced that his contributions to the party were inconsistent with the interests of some powerful officials.
The former party chieftain also cited repeated experiences of injustice, saying he had chosen to protect his peace of mind rather than continue to complain about his treatment.
“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,” he stated.
Abdulsalami previously served as the NDC 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 expressed appreciation to the party’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, for the opportunities extended to him, while acknowledging the contributions of colleagues, civil society activists and media professionals who worked with him during the party's formative period.
Speaking on his next political move, Abdulsalami told The PUNCH that he had decided to withdraw from partisan politics and return to private life rather than remain in an organisation where he felt unwanted.
“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 declined, however, to name the party officials he accused of frustrating his efforts.
An NDC insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described his resignation as the outcome of a prolonged disagreement between him and the party leadership.
According to the source, Abdulsalami had worked for the party since its establishment without receiving a salary or operational funding.
“Abdul’s case is really a sad one. He has survived what I can call a toxic relationship. Despite all his efforts since the start of this NDC, he has never been paid a dime as salary or a working budget.
“Secondly, he was subtly eased out of the National Working Committee despite being a foundational member by high-ranking leaders of the party. His leaving the party, to many of us, is the only choice,” the source said.
The insider added that Abdulsalami had been considering leaving since October but was repeatedly persuaded to reconsider by Dickson.
However, the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, dismissed suggestions that the resignation reflected a wider crisis within the party, arguing that the departure of one member should not be interpreted as evidence of internal disunity.
Abdulsalami's exit comes against the backdrop of disagreements over the control and organisational structure of the NDC following the entry of former Labour Party 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.
Before their arrival, the NDC had already established structures across the country. Its National Chairman, Cleopas Moses, said in June that the party had functioning structures in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory before Obi and Kwankwaso joined.
Although he acknowledged that their entry had strengthened the party, he insisted that the NDC was not a new political platform created for the two politicians.
Tensions subsequently emerged between the party leadership and the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, popularly known as the OK Movement, over the control and integration of political structures.
The movement's Director-General, John Ughulu, had rejected calls for its structures at national, state, local government and ward levels to be absorbed into the NDC, insisting that the organisation remained an independent political movement.
Dickson, however, maintained that support groups should complement political parties rather than operate parallel structures or compete with them.
The former Bayelsa governor also criticised the movement's decision to establish a presidential campaign council, describing the move as “unheard of” and “nonsensical”.
Ughulu subsequently defended the movement's autonomy, arguing that it was an independent political organisation rather than an ordinary support group.
The disagreements have coincided with other departures from 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, was unveiled as the National Coordinator of the Social Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Council.
Tanko's appointment followed his resignation from Obi's political team on October 30, 2026. At the time, he said he was returning to the National Consultative Front, where he serves as co-chairman.
He later confirmed that he had formally resigned his appointment with Obi before accepting the SDP position.
Tanko was a prominent figure in Obi's 2023 presidential campaign and played a major role in mobilising supporters through the Obidient Movement.
His departure from Obi's political team, though not from the NDC, came after another prominent Obi ally, Nana Kazaure, left to join the campaign team of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
The developments present a challenge for the NDC as it seeks to reconcile competing political interests, strengthen its organisational structure and build a united platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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