The chairman of Nigeria’s ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has resigned, state radio said on Friday, giving in to mounting pressure after being charged with conspiracy and fraud.
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The PDP’s executive body is expected to meet later on Friday to decide on a replacement for the chairman, Vincent Ogbulafor.
Ogbulafor pleaded not guilty on Monday of conspiring with four others to siphon off 233 million naira ($1.5 million) in public funds while he was a government minister in 2001.
An Abuja court judge granted Ogbulafor bail and set a June 21 hearing for the case.
Ogbulafor’s departure will add to the growing crisis within the PDP, which has dominated Nigerian politics since the country’s return to democracy just over a decade ago.
Divisions have emerged over who will be the party’s candidate for next year’s presidential elections.
The party suspended a group of 19 senior members last month after they launched an open rebellion calling for reforms which could break the stranglehold of a small elite over the party and throw the presidential race wide open.