The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed deep sadness that former President Olusegun Obasanjo could decide to abandon the party at this critical point in time and in such a dramatic fashion.

Obasanjo had earlier on Monday, in his home in Abeokuta, Ogun, announced his disengagement from PDP and politics, saying that he preferred to remain a statesman “internally and externally”. He went further to publicly tear his PDP membership card.

The former president had on Saturday accused President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP of plotting to frustrate the conduct of the forthcoming general elections.

PDP in a statement issued by Mr Olisa Metuh, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, on Monday night in Abuja, said Obasanjo’s action was unfortunate, especially the former chairman of the highest advisory organ of the party, the Board of Trustees (BoT), discountenanced all pleas by elders and leaders of the party.

“Many Nigerians are still bewildered as to disregard what manner of provocation that could have led a former president to lose his composure and go to the extent of tearing his membership card of the party he once led,” Metuh said.

“It is our considered opinion that no matter the provocation, a states manly disposition from a person of Chief Obasanjo’s status could have encouraged our citizens and progress stability in the system,” he added.

Metuh said that PDP had examined the circumstances and the reasons adduced by Obasanjo for his exit from it and politics. He said that the party had conceded to the former president his inalienable right to hold opinion and to decide who to associate with.

He described Obasanjo as a “revered leader” of the party and its first presidential flag-bearer who it offered the platform to rule the nation for eight years.

Metuh noted belief that what the country needed now was patriotic actions that engender national unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence irrespective of political, ethnic and religious persuasions.

He, however, maintained that the overall interest of the nation and well-being of the citizens, must remain paramount and above all personal and group interests.

PDP in the statement directed its members to remain focused on the on-going campaign for the 2015 polls and not be distracted by the exit of Obasanjo from the party.

Metuh said that with an array of credible candidates led by Jonathan, its presidential candidate, the PDP was sure that it would emerge victorious in the general elections.

•Rewritten from a NAN report. Photo shows Obasanjo.