PDP convention: Mark warns against imposition

Former Senate President David Mark has warned against impunity and imposition at the forthcoming national convention of the party fixed for August 17, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

This was contained in Senator Mark’s statement signed by his Special Assistant, Paul Mumeh, and  made available to newsmen on Monday.

The statement quoted Mark as telling the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in his home state, Benue in Otukpo, that the defeat of the PDP in the last general election, was a self-inflicted injury, which he said, was orchestrated by imposition of candidates and the impunity of some leaders.

According to him, it is incumbent on PDP leaders and members to allow the popular will of the people prevail at the congresses and the convention.

Senator Mark also urged PDP members to remain steadfast with the party while frowning on cross carpeting.

He insisted that inconsistencies caused by cross carpeting neither enhance the sustenance of democratic culture nor the integrity and credibility of politicians who decamp.

“If we must uphold the sanctity of democratic culture, we must follow the path of honour like the Democrats and Republicans in the United States of America or the Labour Party and the Conservatives in the United Kingdom who hold on tenaciously to their political ideologies no matter the odds,” he said.

The former Senate president reaffirmed that he would not leave the PDP no matter the challenges, adding that the platform had afforded him the opportunity for winning contested elections since 1999.

The statement also quoted the state chairman of the PDP, Mr John Ngbede, as saying the PDP in Benue was now united and working as one family for good.

He, however, observed that the party was bedeviled by cash crunch, which he said, was  hindering its activities.