Former military president, Ibrahim Babangida, has written the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Okwwesilieze Nwodo, to formally announce his withdrawal from the 2011 party’s presidential primaries scheduled for January 13.
In the letter, which he personally signed, Mr. Babangida said though he obtained the nomination form last September, he is voluntarily withdrawing from the race because of the consensus arrangement which he had with three other presidential aspirants.
The letter is titled ‘Withdrawal of Participation in the 2011 PDP Presidential Primary Election.’
“This letter submits for the kind consideration and approval of the National Working Committee of our great party – the Peoples Democratic Party of Nigeria (PDP), a request to withdraw from all the processes leading to and including the PDP Primary elections scheduled for 13th January, 2011,” Mr. Babangida said.
“You will recall that in September, 2010, I had collected, completed, and submitted the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms, in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Guidelines set out by the party.
“As a consequence of the Consensus arrangement to which I voluntarily and willingly subscribed, I write to inform you of my decision to withdraw forthwith from all the processes leading to the selection and emergence of our Party’s Presidential flag bearer,” he added.
The former military ruler, while extending his highest regard to the chairman and the party, conveyed his gratitude for the opportunity given him to express his interest in the race. Mr. Nwodo has since acknowledged receipt of the letter and wished the former president well. He also thanked him for his maturity.
It will be recalled that Mr. Babangida entered into a consensus arrangement with former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, former national security adviser, Aliyu Gusau, and Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State. The project, which was coordinated by the Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF), and led by former finance minister, Adamu Ciroma, produced Mr. Abubakar as the consensus candidate for the north.
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