A former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of FSB International Bank, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has on Saturday, announced his withdrawal from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, 2023 Presidential primary election, citing corruption and buying of votes as his reasons for stepping down, .
Recall, that the PDP National Convention to elect its 2023 Presidential Candidate out of the 15 Aspirants, is slated for today, Saturday, May 28, at the MKO Abiola Stadium, in Abuja.
Mohammed Hayatu-Deen announced his stepping down in a letter addressed to the PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.
The letter reads in part: “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 grueling 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 monetised.”
Speaking further, he assured that as a very loyal party member and believer in the democratic process, he will continue to avail himself and his teeming supporters at all times, to ensure the victory of the PDP.