The electoral misfortune Peoples Democratic Party suffered in the 2015 general elections which ended its 16-year rule was a consequence of imposition of candidates, a former Senate President, David Mark, has said.
Mr. Mark said the party must avoid imposition of candidates if it must return to power in 2019.
The former senate president has been linked to eight undeclared offshore companies by leaked #PanamaPapers in breach of Nigeria’s code of conduct law for public officers.
He spoke on Monday in Otukpo, his Benue State country home where he held a meeting with PDP faithful, according to his spokesperson, Paul Mumeh.
Ahead of the PDP congresses and convention, Mr. Mark “canvassed strongly for the repositioning of the Party (PDP) if it must return to power in the next general election.”
“We must come to terms with reality that PDP lost the last general election because of over bearing tendencies of some leaders who imposed candidates on the people.
“It is inevitable that we must change from the old ways and allow the will of the people prevail. Unfolding events clearly show that the PDP is the party for the people. But we must not take them for granted by forcing unpopular candidates on the people.
“The coast is clear that the PDP has the road map for peace, unity and development of Nigeria. Nigerians now know the difference,” he said.
Mr. Mark therefore counselled that popular candidates be put forward to “drive the ship of the party ahead of the next general elections.”
He stressed that the PDP has bright chances of returning to power if all party faithful agree to work together in one accord.
To achieve fortune of returning to power, he stated that people must learn to sacrifice their individual or personal interest for the larger interests of the people.
Also at the meeting were State Chairman of the PDP, Emmanuel Agbo; former Interior Minister, Abba Moro and Geofrey Ejiga.
The trio corroborated Mr. Mark’s position that the party should repositioned.
In separate remarks, they said that the “continued non-performance” of the ruling All Progressive Congress ( APC) was giving the PDP “a clean bill of health to return to power but must avoid the pitfall of imposition of candidates for elections”.
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