By Adesina Soyooye
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has lost unarguably, one of its most popular and viable Presidential aspirants, Peter Obi.
Obi resigned from the PDP on Friday, May 20 in a letter to his Ward Chairman.
On Wednesday, May 24, he sent another resignation letter to the National Chairman of the Party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu.
Even though Obi did not quite State his discomfort with the PDP, opinion is that it is connected to the reluctance of the party to zone its Presidential ticket to the South and, the South-east in particular.
By his resignation, he has made a strong statement that would hunt the conscience of the PDP Leadership.
The PDP recently threw its ticket open to every Zone.
Obi’s resignation letter reads:
“Dear National Chairman,
RESIGNATION FROM PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP) AND WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST
” 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, I am by this letter informing you of my withdrawal for the PDP Presidential Primaries.
“It has been a great honor 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.”
Obi was the PDP Vice Presidential candidate in 2019. He ran on the same ticket with Atiku Abubakar. They lost to the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Strong speculations are that Obi is headed to the Social Democratic Party, SDP, where, it is said, he would fly the Presidential flag.
Obi’s resignation from the PDP is likely to kick-start a run on the sympathy for the party, especially, from millions of youths who see him as a breadth of fresh air and promised him maximum support against 2023.
This is the second time Obi would quit a party. He resigned from the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, and joined the PDP during the Goodluck Jonathan Presidency.
