Hayatu-Deen : PDP presidential primaries heavily monetised

A presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has explained his reasons for dropping out of the race for the party's ticket.

The former bank Chief Executive threw in the towel on Friday night, hours before the commencement of the party's special convention to elect a flag bearer.

Explaining his reasons for opting out of the race, Hayatu-Deen in a letter addressed to the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, he could no longer proceed as the process has been compromised with financial inducement.

H noted in the letter that, “I wish to reiterate that I did not join party politics and to contest for the presidency because of personal gains and inordinate ambition, but in order to serve our country.

“It is therefore based on personal principles and with great humility that I have decided after wide consultations to withdraw from this contest which has been obscenely monetized.”

The banker's exit from the race has increased the number of aspirants who have withdrawn from the PDP presidential primary contest to two.

Pulse had earlier reported that former Anambra state Governor, Peter Obi, had informed the party of his withdrawal from the contest and resignation from the party.

Obi had stated in his own letter “recent developments” within the PDP as the reason for his exit from the convention billed for Saturday, May 28, 2022.

The primaries will now be contested by 13 aspirants which include former Vice President, Abubakar Atiku; two former Senate Presidents, Bukola Saraki and Anyim Pius Anyim; Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto); Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Bala Mohammed (Bauchi); Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom); former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose; Sam Ohunabunwa, and Dele Momodu among others.