Ex-NEMA Boss, Supporters Dump PDP In Kaduna

A former Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Mohammed Sidi, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State.

Sidi, who is a governorship aspirant, announced his exit from the party in a statement on Sunday by his spokesperson, Ahmed Maiyaki.

With less than one week to the governorship and houses of assembly elections, he said he has left the party along with hundreds of his supporters across the 23 local government areas of the state.

The former NEMA DG explained that their decision to leave the PDP was due to what he described as the manipulation of the party’s primaries in 2018.

He alleged that the exercise was characterised by impunity, lack of internal democracy, and intimidation of party delegates by the leadership of the party.

Sidi, however, did not declare any political party he and his supporters would pitch their tent ahead of the elections.

He also accused the PDP leadership in Kaduna of failing to genuinely engage all aspirants towards consultation and reconciliation, a task he said was important to help the party forge ahead.

In a letter sent to the chairman of the party at Unguwan Sarki Ward in Kaduna North Local Government Area, the former NEMA DG claimed that there was mistrust among the party leadership, the governorship candidate, and some members.

It read, “It is based on these reasons and after due consultation with my political associates across the 23 local government areas, l decided to resign my membership of the party henceforth. And l thank you most sincerely for your support while in the party.”