Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has taken a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing it as “good riddance to bad rubbish.”
Atiku, in a letter dated July 16, 2025, addressed to his Jada 1 Ward Chairman in Adamawa State, cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for his departure. The former PDP presidential candidate also called his decision heartbreaking, noting his status as a founding member of the party.
Reacting during a live appearance on Sunrise Daily on Channels Television, Olayinka mocked Atiku’s history of political defections, saying: “Atiku Abubakar leaving the PDP is like saying ‘Atiku leaves PDP again’. He’s always leaving.” He added that Atiku’s exit might give the PDP a chance to regroup and restructure.
Olayinka traced Atiku’s pattern of switching parties back to 2007, accusing him of undermining the PDP while in office as vice president. He also referenced Atiku’s apology in 2018 for allegedly frustrating PDP’s efforts in Lagos in 2003. “The only thing important to Atiku Abubakar is becoming president,” Olayinka claimed.
He also criticised the timing of the resignation, arguing that Atiku should have respected the national mourning period following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari. “He could not even wait for the seven-day mourning to end. That’s desperation,” he said.
Olayinka further predicted that Atiku’s alliance with a new political coalition would fail and that he would eventually return to the PDP as he had done in previous election cycles. He urged the party to begin internal reconciliation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
