By Marvellous Nyang
Facts have emerged on why a leading presidential aspirant of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi, resigned his membership from the party and thereby forgo his presidential ambition under the PDP’s platform.
Obi announced his resignation in a letter titled “Resignation From PDP and Withdrawal from the Presidential Contest,” dated May 24, 2022, and addressed to the PDP National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu.
Obi, in the letter made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, attributed the decision to recent developments within PDP.
The letter read: “I am writing to intimate you of my resignation from the 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 from 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 the country,” Obi said.
The Director-General of Obi Campaign Organisation, Dr Doyin Okupe, said that Obi was not desperate on becoming president of Nigeria, but to offer solutions to problems bedevilling the country.
Okupe, who was Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan, said that all hope was still open for Obi to be on the 2023 ballot paper.
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“You will recall that consistently former Governor Peter Obi has repeatedly stated that he’s not desperate to be President,
“He is desperate to cause a change, to cause a redirection, to change the way the government of Nigeria is being run. It is for this reason to offer solutions to the various problems of Nigeria.
“It was for these reasons that he entered into the race. According to what he said in his letter, various development in the PDP makes it virtually impossible for him to find the full expression of his desire on the platform of the PDP.
“This is not to say that all hopes are lost. I can say on his behalf that Nigerians must not give up, we must never give up. Hope is on its way and help is coming.
“All options are on the table, by the grace of God Obi’s name will be on the ballot in 2023,” he said.
Obi, who was a former governor of Anambra State, was also the party’s running mate to PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar in the 2015 presidential election.
Until his resignation, he was one of the 15 aspirants vying for the presidential ticket of the PDP, of which the party’s primary is expected to hold on May 28 and May 29 in Abuja.
But as gathered, trouble started for Obi in PDP when the leadership of the party piloted by Ayu, refused to recognise Obi as the party’s leader at his Anambra State home base, and decided to hand over materials for the election of three-man delegates to the self-acclaimed political godfather of Anambra, Chief Chris Uba.
This, it was said was part of the real reason Obi decided to opt-out of the PDP, as he was forced to resign his membership of the party, as it was alleged he didn’t enjoy the needed relevance as an aspirant at a presidential level should have at his local constituency.
Earlier before he resigned from the party, Obi’s supporters had told him to develop a Plan B and find an alternative platform where he could actualise his presidential dream.
This, it was said necessitated the need for him to travel to the United Kingdom after he tendered his resignation letter to the PDP ward chairman at Agulu ward 2, where he met with the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, with sources saying Obi informed Johnson of his intention to join the “Labour family.”
Meanwhile, informed sources had hinted that Obi may contest next year’s presidential poll either on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) or with Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso-led New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), as it was said he had started discussions at the leadership of both parties.
