Arms deal scandal made me leave PDP – Yuguda

The immediate past Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda, has said he left the Peoples Democratic Party because of the shocking revelations emanating from the ongoing arms probe.

This was contained in a letter written to the National Chairman of the PDP, Modu Sheriff, by Yuguda, which was obtained by our correspondent in Bauchi.

In the letter dated Saturday, April 23, 2015 and titled, “Letter of resignation as a member of the PDP,” Yuguda said the arms scandal had brought a moral burden on the PDP and its members.

He said the opposition party lacked the capacity to bring the needed development to Nigerians, adding that he would take a break from politics for some months or a year.

He said he would consult his friends and associate on the path to follow after his break.

Yuguda’s letter read in part, “I wish to tender my resignation as a member of the PDP effective from today, Saturday, 23rd April, 2016. My decision was informed by the shocking revelations on the embezzlement of $2.1bn meant for the procurement of arms to fight insurgency and reduce the sufferings of the victims of the insurgency.

“This dastardly act by the leadership and members of the government of the PDP has left a moral burden on all the members of the PDP. With $500m, the lives of the over two million deprived Internally Displaced Persons would have been better today.

“I was a governor from the zone who received no material or financial support from the then Federal Government, and was also a witness to the wasting of human lives and properties because of the non-availability of fighting equipment and  relief materials.

“The realisation that the funds were embezzled which led to the death of thousands of women, children, young men and unarmed members of the Nigerian security forces have made it impossible for me to continue my membership of the party.”

He also said that national chairman of the PDP lacked the capacity to lead the resurgence of the party.

Yuguda said it would be ideal of Sheriff to clear his name of all allegations before staking his claim to the chairmanship of the party.

“He who comes to equity must come with clean hands. Rationality, morality and common sense suggest that the PDP chairman should have cleared his name before aspiring to that position. In an ideal country, an allegation against a public officer compels him to resign his appointment.

“In view of the foregoing reasons and my hard-earned reputation and other track records, I cannot be part of the characters that formed the present PDP leadership, as such, I do resign my membership of the party,” Yuguda said.
Posted by Oscar  Jonathan