close
Wednesday, May 25, 2022

EXCLUSIVE: Peter Obi dumps PDP, pulls out of presidential primaries

The frontline presidential aspirant feared he might be humiliated at the opposition party’s convention this weekend, Peoples Gazette heard.

• May 25, 2022
Peter Obi
Former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi (Photo Credit: Twitter)

Peter Obi, a presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, has left the main opposition platform, Peoples Gazette can report. 

Mr Obi’s exit, coming on the eve of hotly-contested presidential primaries, came as the politician expressed fears he might be humiliated at the convention in Abuja. 

Mr Obi confirmed his exit to Peoples Gazette on Wednesday evening, saying he caught wind of a gang up against him. 

He did not immediately disclose his next platform. 

The development is expected to put additional spotlight on the PDP’s primaries scheduled to be held in Abuja this weekend, where Mr Obi was initially seen as a front runner in a race that includes Atiku Abubakar, Nyesom Wike, Dele Momodu, Bukola Saraki and other bigwigs. 

A spokesman for the PDP did not immediately return a request seeking comments.

A source familiar with the development said Mr Obi feared he might not do well at the convention, despite his widespread popularity and fame amongst everyday Nigerians.

In a letter to the party chairman, Mr Obi appreciated his membership and left open future collaboration in service to the country.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Mustapha Sule Lamido

Politics

Jigawa: Sule Lamido’s son Mustapha gets PDP guber ticket despite EFCC corruption trial

Mr Ahmed said that Mr Mustapha scored 829 out of the 832 votes cast to win the primaries, adding that Saleh Shehu, placed second with zero vote.

Peter Mba

Politics

Ex-commissioner Peter Mba emerges PDP guber candidate in Enugu

Mr Mba, who was also Commissioner for Finance under Nnamani administration, polled 790 votes in the primaries contested by nine aspirants.

Folashade Adefisayo

Education

Lagos prohibits corporal punishment in public schools: Commissioner

The commissioner explained that this was to avert incidents where corporal punishment results in students’ death.

Semiu Adeniran

Economy

NBS to expand data scope, says new Statistician-General

President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Mr Adeniran on May 20, following the death of the former Statistician-General on April 13.

Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde (Photo Credit: Twitter)

Politics

Makinde wins Oyo PDP guber primaries

Mr MaiBasira said the governor scored 1,040 votes to defeat Mr Gbolarumi, who scored only two votes.

States

Gombe gov suspends water board boss for negligence

The government said the dereliction of duty had led to rampant water pipe leakages, as witnessed by the governor during his inspection visits to some project sites in the state capital