A former governor of Imo state Emeka Ihedioha, on Tuesday, April 23, resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ihedioha’s exit from the party may not be unconnected with the extended deliberations held by the national leadership of the last week which failed to resolve the party’s internal conflicts.
In a letter dated April 23, and delivered to the PDP headquarters on Tuesday, Ihedioha, a long-time ally of former vice president Atiku Abubakar who was also a deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, pointed out that he has no doubt whatsoever that his decision to quit PDP is the right course of action.
The letter addressed to his ward chairman in Mbutu, Aboh-Mbaise LGA, and copied to the national chairman of PDP, chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, and PDP chairman in Imo state, was simply titled: “Resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party”.
The letter read: “Since 1998, I have contributed my quota to the development and transformation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as one of the founding members.
“All these years, I have taken pride in the fact that the PDP is a party that will always look inward for internal reforms and provide credible leadership for the people, whether in power or outside power.
“I have had the benefit of serving and benefitting from the party at various levels. Regrettably, in recent times, the party has taken on a path that is at variance with my personal beliefs.
“Despite my attempt to offer counsel, the party is, sadly no longer able to carry out internal reforms, enforce its own rules or offer credible opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“It is in the light of the foregoing, that I am compelled to offer my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party effective immediately. While this decision was difficult to take, I, however, believe that it is the right one.
“Despite this resignation, I will always be available to offer my services towards the deepening of democracy and good governance in Nigeria,” Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha, a founding member of the PDP stated in his letter.