By Taiye Odewale
Abuja
Ahead of the December 9, 2017, elective convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former President of the Senate, David Mark, has warned against impunity and imposition of candidates.
Mark implored party faithful to reflect on the issues that led to the fall of the PDP in 2015 and do well to avoid the pitfalls at the convention.
Speaking when he played host to one of the aspirants to the office of the national chairman of the party, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, in Abuja yesterday, Mark stressed that members of the party must learn from mistakes of the past by saying no to impunity.
“We must learn from the mistakes of the past and do the right thing at the convention.
“We must say no to impunity. We must reject imposition of candidates on the party. Elders of the party including myself must ensure justice, fairness and equity. The people must be allowed to decide.
“Nigerians are eagerly waiting for the PDP and we must not fail them. We need a leader of the PDP that is a bridge builder, accessible, possesses the character and integrity to lead the party to victory in 2019,” he said.
He recalled how he tried in vain to resolve the intractable conflict between the Ali Modu Sheriff and Ahmed Makarfi factions, saying “for me, I will always stand for the truth because only the truth will guarantee our success in future polls.”
He appreciated the contributions of Dokpesi to the development of the PDP and urged him not to relent just as he enjoined all the aspirants for various positions to comply with the rules of the game and accept the outcome of the election without bitterness or rancour, hoping that the process would be free, fair and credible.
Briefing Mark earlier, Dokpesi said he opted for the chairmanship position of the party “because I am eminently qualified, competent and capable of leading the party to Eldorado.”
He promised to bring sanity to the party and ensure justices, fairness and equity in the administration of the party if elected.
