PDP convention: We cannot afford another mistake —Mark

Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, said on Thursday that the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), must conduct a hitc-free non-elective convention so as to re-invent the party.

Mark, in a statement on Thursday ahead of the convention fixed for Saturday, said that the party must ensure a hitch-free convention that would further strengthen its base.

In the statement endorsed by his Media aide, Paul Mumeh, Mark said asked the delegates to ensure peaceful conduct adding that only a good outing can  further unite the party and give all faithful a sense of belonging.

He expressed optimism about the future of the party saying “I am impressed with the renewed enthusiasm and commitment of our members towards rebuilding the party after the protracted leadership  tussle.”

Mark, who had earlier resisted the wave of defection t the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)  stated that he would be “the last man standing in the PDP.”

The statement quoted Mark as saying in the heat of the PDP crisis: “Even if I will be the last man standing in the PDP, I will remain in PDP . I have no reasons whatsoever to leave the party. I have risen to where I am as a Senate President on the platform of  the party. The PDP has a manifesto and I believe in it.

“Those who are decamping from PDP to APC  are fair weather friends of the Party.

“So, the point I want to make is that I remain in PDP and I will work hard with other faithful members to bring it back. This is democracy, there will  always be a winner and  a loser in every election. Both parties must accept the outcome in a free and fair contest and move on.”

The former number three citizen therefore counselled the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led special convention committee not  to leave any stone unturned to guarantee a hitch free exercise.

He said: “We have come this far through a tortuous journey . We cannot afford to make another mistake that could affect the fortunes of the party in the days ahead.”