The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has responded to the departure of former President, Olusegun Obasanjo from the party.
The PDP, via a statement released on Monday, February 16, by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said that it was “deeply saddened” that Obasanjo had decided to abandon the party at such a “critical point in time”.
Obasanjo, on Monday, tore his PDP membership card in public thus ending his connection with the party.
Read the full PDP statement below:
The
leadership Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has received the news of the
decision of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to withdraw his
membership of our great party. We have also carefully examined the
circumstances and the reasons adduced for this unfortunate decision.
While
we concede to the inalienable rights of every citizen to hold opinion
and to decide who to associate with, we are however deeply saddened that
Chief Obasanjo, a revered leader of our party, our first Presidential
flagbearer whom the PDP offered the platform to rule our nation for 8
years, could decide to abandon this party at this critical point in
time.
This is especially as Chief Obasanjo, who
was also the Chairman of the highest advisory organ of the PDP, the
Board of Trustees (BoT) discountenanced all pleas by elders and leaders
of our great party with regard to his reservations on certain issues
within our fold.
Many Nigerians are still
bewildered as to what manner of provocation could have led a former
President to lose his composure and go to the extent of tearing the
membership card of the party that he once led.
Indeed,
the PDP is hugely at loss as to how the decision and action of the
former President who had enjoyed the benefits of being elected to the
highest position of leadership will assist in deepening our democracy
and stabilizing the polity.
It is our considered
opinion that no matter the provocation, a statesmanly disposition from a
person of Chief Obasanjo’s status could have encouraged our citizens
and help in stabilizing system.
We believe
however, that what this country needs now is patriotic actions that
engender national unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence of our
people irrespective of political, ethnic and religious persuasions. The
overall interest of our nation and wellbeing of our citizens must remain
paramount and above all personal and group interests.
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