Former Anambra governor and PDP presidential aspirant Peter Obi resigned yesterday, two days before the party’s primary.
He resigned because of the opposition party’s resistance to his ‘Rescue Nigeria’ mission. Obi said he had already informed the PDP chapter chairman in Agulu Ward 2, Anambra State, in a letter dated May 24, 2022.
“I am writing to inform you of my resignation from the PDP, effective Friday, May 20, 2022. I’m withdrawing from the PDP presidential primary.
“It’s been an honor to build the nation through our party. Recent developments in our party make it difficult to continue contributing constructively.
Obi’s presidential campaign director, Doyin Okupe, submitted the letter to Ayu at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja. He said Obi would move to another party to pursue his 2023 presidential ambition. He wouldn’t say which party.
Obi’s resignation was linked to a fight over party control in Anambra and the Southeast.
Olisa Metuh, a former PDP national publicity secretary, expressed frustration over painful developments in Anambra.
Metuh, who identified Obi as PDP’s Anambra leader, warned Ayu against appeasing their godfathers. Another prominent stakeholder working with a South-South governor now controls the state’s main structure.
On any last-minute change in plans, the former PDP Vice Presidential candidate in 2019 may contest on Labour Party (LP) platform, though sources say there are ongoing talks with Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso-led New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Obi resigned from the party after Ayu gave election materials to Chief Chris Uba, the self-proclaimed political godfather of Anambra.
Obi’s supporters have been pressuring him to find an alternative platform to save his presidential bid.
After sending his resignation letter to the PDP ward chairman in Agulu ward 2, Obi traveled to the UK, where he met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and told him of his intention to join the ‘Labour fold.’
Julius Abure, the Labour Party’s national chairman, and Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, its national secretary, both denied knowing about Obi’s planned entry.
Alhaji Ibrahim said a political party is like a stadium, where anyone can come and participate. The national chairman, Abure, said he couldn’t comment, but that the party exists for the people.
- Tags: 2023 Elections, Nigeria politics, PDP, Peter Obi
