FORMER Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has officially resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Abdullahi, who was the PDP Kwara Central Senatorial candidate in the 2023 general election, lost to the rival All Progressives Congress (APC)’s Saliu Mustapha.
In a statement personally signed by him and addressed to the ward chairman of PDP in Ubandawaki Ward, Ilorin West Local Government Area, Kwara State, Abdullahi revealed that he had taken time to reflect deeply before arriving at the difficult decision to leave the party. However, he did not disclose the reasons for his resignation.
Abdullahi, who previously served as a Commissioner of Education in Kwara State, has been a prominent figure in the PDP and played an active role in the party’s activities at both state and national levels.
The statement reads, “I write to formally resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I have had ample time to reflect, and I have come to the difficult conclusion that this is the only tenable option for me at this time.
“Mr. Chairman, please permit me to express, through you, my gratitude to the leadership of the party for the opportunities that I have had to serve the state and the country on its platform, and for the great moments we have shared,” the statement concluded.
The Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Olusola Olusegun Adewara, confirmed the development on Monday, saying, “Yes , the ward chairman communicated the letter to us through the state secretary. We can only wish him well in his endeavour.”
A former close ally of Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Abdullahi expressed gratitude to the PDP leadership for the opportunities and privileges he enjoyed during his membership.
Mallam Abdullah served in the cabinet of the ex-Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, as the Honourable Minister of Youth Development in July 2011, and as the Minister of Sports till 201k4. He was also the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (2016-2018). He is the author of Sweet Sixteen, which was adopted by the JAMB/UME 2019–2020; and On A Platter of Gold – How Jonathan Won and Lost Nigeria.
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