“I Made a Grave Mistake Leaving PDP,” Atiku’s Ex-Youth DG Rowland Returns After ADC Defection

Odih Rowland, former director-general of the Atiku Abubakar youth wing, has returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) less than a month after defecting to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Rowland, who resigned from the PDP on August 1, formally communicated his return in a letter dated August 27 and addressed to Umar Damagum, acting national chairman of the PDP. In the letter, he apologised for his decision to leave, describing it as a “grave mistake.”

“I realise now that I made a grave mistake by leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a party that has nurtured my political career for 24 years,” Rowland wrote. He added that his brief defection had made him more appreciative of the PDP’s values of truth, justice, and internal democracy.

The politician also praised the leadership of the national chairman, saying it reflected the party’s capacity to reclaim power in 2027. He pledged to work tirelessly with his supporters to ensure PDP’s victory in the next general elections.

Rowland noted that his return followed appeals from leaders across ward, local government, state, and national levels. He thanked the party for accepting his apology and promised to contribute actively to its growth.