

BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
Former Minister of Water Resources and one time Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Barrister Mukhtari Shehu Shagari, has announced his exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) insisting that the party is dead in the state.
The decision by Shagari to quit the party, according to pundits, stems from Governor Aminu Tambuwal’s resolve to field his Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Saidu Umar, as Sokoto PDP flag bearer for the 2023 governorship election.
Shagari in a statement said, “I wish to bring to your notice that I, Mukhtari Shehu Shagari has from today ceased to be a member of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“This hard decision is as a result of the series of betrayals that I have suffered in the hands of a Party that deceitfully claims to be a bastion of democracy but has instead become a party of the highest bidder without considering my labor, commitment, sacrifice, investments and service to the Party since 1998”.
Continuing, Shagari wondered why he should be paid in such ungrateful manner adding, “Apart from my numerous sacrifices and services to the Party, the so-called Peoples Democratic Party has no reward system regardless of one’s loyalty and faithfulness”.
While noting that the PDP has derailed from it’s ideals, Shagari said, “It is my conviction that the ideals of the founding fathers of the Peoples Democratic Party have been completely eroded and is not worthy to be called a Democratic Party.
“It is most disheartening that the Governor of my State in particular has proven to be a man who does not keep to his words, a man who has no regards to integrity, honor and excellence. It is also sad and unfortunate that the PDP in Sokoto is dead and buried during his tenure as the Governor of Sokoto State because of his draconian, slippery, cunning, crafty and insincere style of leadership.
“The PDP has unfortunately become a “cash and carry” Party for the highest bidder so as to serve the interest of a minority few who have hijacked the body and soul of the Party”.
To his supporters, Shagari appealed to them to remain steadfast and await his next political step.