By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The race to the Presidential Villa in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suffered it’s major setback today following the withdrawal of one of it’s Presidential aspirants Peter Obi who also resigned from the party.
Three governorship aspirants, Senators Ike Ekweremadu of Enugu, Enyinnaya Abaribe of Abia and Bassey Albert of Akwaibom states also withdrew from participating in the governorship primary election of the party.
In a resignation letter dated 24th May, 2022 and addressed to the National Chairman of PDP, Obi did not disclose the reason why he decided to exit from the Presidential race three day to the primary election.
The former Anambra State governor who was the Presidential running mate to Atiku Abubakar in 2019 acknowledged that the challenges facing the country are deep-seated and required that each Nigerian should make profound sacrifices towards rescuing the country.
He said that recent developments within the party make it practically impossible for him to continue participating and making constructive contributions.
He said, “I am writing to intimate you of my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was conveyed to the Chairman of Agulu Ward 2. Anaocha LGA Anambra, effective Friday 20 May, 2022. Consequently, am by this letter informing you of my withdrawal for the PDP Presidential Primaries.
“It has been a great honour to contribute to nation-building efforts through our party. Unfortunately, recent developments within our party make it practically impossible to continue participating and making such constructive contributions.
“Our national challenges are deep-seated and require that we each make profound sacrifices towards rescuing our country. My commitment to rescuing Nigeria remains firm, even if the route differs.
“I wish to thank you personally for your graciousness and leadership. I wish you well and best of luck in the service of country”.
Reacting to the development a source close to the party said that Obi could have emerged as the party’s candidate but the party’s delegates were produced by the faction that is not loyal to Obi.
He said, “Obi is the leader of the party in Anambra State but the delegates list which the party accepted was the one conducted by the faction loyal to Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
“Olisa Metuh who was former National Publicity Secretary of the party urged the NWC to discountenance the list generated from a purported delegate congress organised by a faction of the party saying that the congress was not conducted according to the guidelines in the electoral act. Don’t also forget that Obi has transversed the length and breath of the country and has overwhelming support but he is not sharing money like other aspirants.
“What we are witnessing today is an Obi who wants to maintain his integrity, wants to keep his eyes on the ball and does not want to scramble for the Presidential ticket of the party with money bags who have no vision and plan for the country.
“Obi is a man of integrity and he has repeatedly said that he is not desperate to become the President but desperate to transform the country. Obi values his integrity more than his Presidential ambition and that is what he has just expressed” said the source.
However efforts to get the reaction of the party on the development was unsuccessful as his number was not available as at the time of filling this report.
