Abaribe Resigns from PDP

The Minority Senate leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He stated this while speaking on Channels Television. His resignation was contained in a letter dated May 24, 2022, to the Ward Ward 5 Chairman of the PDP in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State.

In the letter, the Senator wrote, “This development is consequent upon the shameful display of illegality, impunity, and undemocratic decision of the party and after due consultations with my constituents”.

The minority leader noted that he would be vying for the Abia South senatorial seat under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Meanwhile, Abaribe had, in a separate letter, informed the Senate President Ahmed Lawan of his resignation from the PDP.

“This also means my resignation as Minority Leader of the Senate,” he said.

“I wish to thank you and my dear colleagues in the leadership of the Senate for the warm camaraderie we enjoyed while I was Minority Leader.”

His resignation comes after he dropped out of the PDP governorship election in Abia State, held on Wednesday.

The legislator then explained his decision by citing the lack to create a level playing field for aspirants and godfather influence.

“Accordingly, I, Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe, will not be part of this charade,” he said in a statement captioned ‘Notice of Non-Participation in the Abia PDP Gubernatorial Primaries’.

“I am therefore not participating in the exercise, which means that I will not be part of the PDP governorship primary election that holds in Abia State on Wednesday 25th of May, 2022, as doing so would have amounted to an endorsement of an illegality that is already being challenged in the courts.”

In the run-up to the elections, the former deputy governor criticised what he called a shambolic process.

“The implication for our party is grave and has put all ongoing primary exercises on quicksand,” the outspoken lawmaker said.

“I am known for standing firm in defence of my convictions for the right of all people to a free and fair democratic process. That was why my campaign set sail on a democratic journey that took us to all the nooks and crannies of our dear state.”