A former Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Development Trust Fund (PTDF) Dr. Muttaqa Rabe Darma, has said he would no longer purchase the governorship contest form under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because it is too expensive for him.”
Darma had earlier this month informed executive council members of the PDP in Katsina state of his intention to contest for the governor’s seat in 2023.
He had contested same seat in 2019 and contested for House of Representatives seat in 2015.
He was one of the top loyalists of the late President Ummaru Musa Yar’adua. He served Yar’adua as a commissioner from 1999 – 2007, and later appointed as PTDF Boss until his death in 2010.
‘I rather help people with the money’
Addressing members of the PDP from Sandamu local government area Sunday evening, Darma said he has started thinking of his contest because of the N21 million form fee.
He said by making the form very expensive, “they trying to teach us how to steal money because it’s too expensive for an opposition party.
“Instead of me to remove N21 million from my savings to secure form, I rather dedicate N15m to improve my centre where we train youths on various skills acquisitions,” he said.
Muttaqa However said some of his supporters and loyalists had promised to buy the form for him but has not in anyway mad of his mind to accept the proposal.
‘Is he decamping to NNPP?’
Several sources closer to him however told 21st CENTURY CHRONICLE that the academic cum politician could be on his way to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
A week ago, two of his loyalists were welcomed into the NNPP in Katsina state with executive positions; Sani Umar Kankia as Secretary while Dauda Kurfi was elected as Vice Chairman, Katsina central
One of his top loyalists, who asked not to be name told this reporter that Darma led some of his friends and loyalists from the PDP to meet Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State “to discuss extensively on the party.”
“I can’t say whether he is decamping or not but where he goes politically, we follow him because none of those helped by the late Yar’adu’a are doing what he is doing for the development of the state. Even the state governor has said that on several occasions and you know it too. With the youths behind him for all the opportunities he provided for them, he can contest in any party and still win,” the anonymous source said.
Muttaqa didn’t respond to calls and SMS on whether he is planning to decamp to the NNPP.
