Former aviation minister Osita Chidoka has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He plans to focus on the Athena Centre, a non-profit dedicated to public policy and leadership. Chidoka pledged his commitment to good governance and national unity, urging reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s political landscape and governance systems.
Former aviation minister Osita Chidoka has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to focus on non-partisan pursuits. Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television program, Chidoka revealed that he had formally informed his ward in Anambra State about his decision.
Chidoka stated that he plans to concentrate on the Athena Centre, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing public policy and leadership in Nigeria. “I am stepping away from politics temporarily to focus on the Athena Centre,” he said. He expressed his desire to collaborate with Nigerians interested in reforming the political system to promote evidence-based governance.
In 2023, Chidoka had warned that the PDP risked becoming irrelevant if significant reforms were not implemented promptly. His departure underscores his ongoing concerns about the party’s trajectory.
Chidoka’s political career includes serving as aviation minister from 2014 to 2015 under President Goodluck Jonathan. Before this role, he led the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) from 2007 to 2014 during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
In his resignation letter, Chidoka reiterated his dedication to good governance, national unity, and honest public service. He pledged to remain engaged in efforts to build a better Nigeria, free from ethnic and religious divisions.
“I leave the PDP with immense respect and gratitude,” Chidoka wrote, adding his hopes for a “renascent Nigeria” where shared aspirations for progress supersede individual differences.
