A Borno State House of Assembly aspirant for Maiduguri Metropolitan Council on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, Hon. Abubakar Saleh Dudu, has withdrawn from the race with a call on the faction of the party in the state and all politicians to abhor do-or-die disposition.
The aspirant made the declaration in a press statement he personally signed on Tuesday.
He said contests for elective offices, if honestly based on service, should not be a do or die affair.
Dudu said: “Imposition of candidates, lack of internal democracy will take political party nowhere in the state, what happened in Maiduguri yesterday in Forshams Event Center during the primary election of Borno senatorial district was very unfortunate and uncalled for.”
Dudu, however said the faction of the PDP in the state had completely tampered with the names of the original executives/delegates that were to participate in the Senate election, adding that those presented as executives/delegates in the primary election were not the ones duly elected during the state party Congress last year November.
Dudu described “employment of all means outside the tenets of democracy in achieving the objectives” as most unfortunate, adding that the desperation of aspirants in the run up to the party primaries was disturbing.
He said his aspiration for the state assembly seat for Maiduguri Metropolitan Council was based on his conviction to serve his people, adding that the service could be rendered in other capacities.
He further said: “After deep reflection and soul searching, I have decided to withdraw my aspiration for the candidature of state assembly under our great party, the PDP.
“This will afford me the opportunity to serve my people in a non-elective position.
“To this end after duly bringing into cognizance the suffering of our people in Borno, I have decided set up my foundation – Dudu Charity and Aid Foundation.”
The Foundation, according to him, will cater for the vulnerable in the society, including the needy, orphans, widows, the weak and Internally Displaced Persons.
He added that through the foundation, he would strive to alleviate the suffering of his people through a non elective position.
Dudu, thanked the party, his supporters, fans, friends and family at the local government, wards and unit levels for their unflinching support and believe in his political struggles.