Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senate Minority Leader and governorship hopeful in Abia State, has deserted the Peoples Democratic Party and resigned as Minority Leader in the National Assembly’s upper chamber.
Abaribe, who was a leading contender for the party’s governorship ticket in Abia State, had withdrawn from the primary 78 hours earlier.
In separate letters to the ward chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State and the President of the Senate in the National Assembly, he acknowledged his withdrawal from the PDP and as a minority leader in both the party and the Senate.
Abaribe cited illegality, impunity, and decision-making hesitancy as reasons for leaving the party.
My membership in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been resigned.” “I write to notify you of my decision to resign as a member of (the) Peoples Democratic Party,” it reads in part (PDP).
Following the party’s terrible display of illegality, impunity, and undemocratic decision, and after due talks with my constituents, this development has occurred.”
The letter titled “Notification of Resignation from the Membership of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Senate,” addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator Lawan Ahmed, read in part, “This is to notify you and my dear colleagues in the Senate that I have formally resigned my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party through my ward.” This also implies I’m stepping down as Senate Minority Leader.”
“I’d want to express my gratitude to you and my close colleagues in the Senate Leadership for the great camaraderie we shared when I was Minority Leader.”
