TheCable

Enyinnaya Abaribe, senator representing Abia south, has resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The notice of his resignation was contained in a letter he addressed to Senate President Ahmad Lawan.

The move to quit the party came two days after he withdrew from the PDP governorship primary election in Abia state.

While attributing his withdrawal from the race to “imaginary” delegates, the senator described the exercise as a “charade”.

“The implication for our party is grave and as such has put all ongoing primary exercises on quicksand,” he had said.

“I am known for standing firm in defence of my convictions for the right of all people to a free and fair democratic process.”

In the letter written to Lawan, Abaribe said his resignation means he has relinquished his position as minority leader in the upper legislative chamber.

“This is to notify you and my dear colleagues in the senate that I have formally resigned my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party through my ward. This also means my resignation as minority leader of the senate,” the lawmaker said.

“I wish to thank you and my dear colleagues in the leadership of the senate for the warm camaraderie we enjoyed while I was minority leader.”

TheCable understands that Abaribe is seeking to return to the senate on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia governor, will lock horns with Abaribe for the seat currently occupied by the senator.

Ikpeazu had earlier clinched the PDP ticket for the Abia south senatorial district election.