A former Managing Director and Chief Executive of FSB International Bank, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen has withdrawn from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential race.
The development comes hours to the party’s presidential primary election scheduled to hold today, Saturday, May 28, 2022 at the Moshood Abiola stadium, Abuja.
The foremost Economist and Banker made this announcement in a letter addressed to the PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, saying he decided to withdraw from the race after noticing that the primary had been “obscenely monetised”.
Hayatu-Deen said he was greatly sadden by the decision to exit the presidential race as he initially joined because of his ambition to serve the country.
In his words, “My exposure locally and internationally and contributions to the nation’s economic and political well being positioned me to take up the challenges facing our dear nation and the courage to participate in this gruelling exercise which most of our elites have shunned away from. Regrettably, the political system has proved to be acrimonious, corrupt and self-serving.
“I joined the contest as a democrat, with an open mind to keenly contest and accept the result of a process that is fair, credible and transparent.
“We have endeavoured to forge a consensus which would have facilitated a seamless emergence of a candidate which unfortunately could not be achieved.
“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 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”.
His withdrawal comes after former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi withdrew from the presidential race of the party.
With the development, only 13 aspirants will contest in the presidential primary election of the PDP today.
They are; Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike; his Sokoto State counterpart, Aminu Tambuwal; and a former Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
Others are Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State; his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed; a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; a former Senate President, Pius Anyim; Diana Teriela, the only woman in the race; media mogul, Dele Momodu; a pharmacist, Sam Ohuabunwa; Charles Ugwu and Chikwendu Kalu.
