Why I am stepping down- Mohammed Hayatu-Deen

27 MAY 2022
The National Chairman
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Wadata Plaza
Abuja, FCT
Dear National Chairman,
WHY I AM STEPPING DOWN AS A PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANT OF THE PEOPLES
DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP).
I have been a keen observer of Nigerian politics for so many decades, but have not
been opportuned to actively participate in party politics due to my engagements in
managing critical public and private institutions, among others.
I have observed with great concern and sorrow the recent rapid deterioration of all
aspects of our national life – characterised by increasing poverty, religious
intolerance, banditry and kidnapping, monumental oil theft, corruption,
mismanagement of national assets, communal and religious strifes and near
collapse of public services and public institutions.

During my recent nationwide trips, I came face to face with angry and hungry
youths, children, boys and girls abandoned by their states who ought to provide
them with education and vocational training. These had become the recruiting
grounds of criminals, religious and political extremists.
I planned to ensure that the great potential that had become the hallmark of
Nigeria’s development paradigm, should be actualized during our presidency. We
planned to make Nigeria the continental economic powerhouse which would
guarantee high quality of life to the vast majority of our citizens.
I planned to provide peace by ending insurgency of all types occasioned by the
absence of a robust and coherent plan and lack of engagements with those
involved and by improving the capacity of our intelligence services, the armed
forces, the police and paramilitary services.
I planned to put a final stop to the incessant closure of our universities and other
public institutions due to strikes. As we speak, another round of strikes is going on
and nobody knows when our public universities would be opened.
It is because of the foregoing that I found it morally compelling to introduce myself
into the political space in order to provide tangible solutions to these problems.
I was driven by passion and commitment to the cause of salvaging our country
which is on the verge of collapse.

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.
For the past three months I had the privilege of intensively interacting with
Nigerians from all walks of life. This reinforces my resolve that Nigeria MUST BE
saved, otherwise our future is doomed.
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 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.

I wish to thank all my supporters, especially those from my state, well-wishers,
friends, family, the extraordinary hardworking young men and women of our
campaign organization, the party leadership and members for their tremendous
support which enabled us to contribute within this short period towards changing
the character and direction of the Nigerian political landscape.
Finally, as a very loyal party member and believer in the democratic process, I will
continue to avail myself and my teeming supporters at all times to ensure victory
of our great party.
Thank You and God Bless.
Yours Sincerely,
Mohammed Hayatu-Deen