By Taiye Odewale Abuja
Ahead of Saturday’s non-elective convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), immediate past President of the Senate, David Mark, has called for a hitch-free convention that would further strengthen the party. Mark, in a goodwill message to delegates, craved for a peaceful convention that would 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.” It would be recalled that shortly after the Presidential election of 2015 in which the PDP lost to the All Progressive Congress (APC) party, scores of PDP members defected to the ruling party.
But Mark against all odds and widespread speculation that he would do same, precisely on April 8, 2015, told Nigerians that “I will be the last man standing in the PDP.” “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 and I must remain to join others in bringing the party back to limelight,” he was quoted to have said. He, therefore, tasked the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led special convention committee not to leave any stone unturned to guarantee a hitch-free exercise. “We have come this far through a tortuous journey. We cannot aff ord to make another mistake that could aff ect the fortunes of the party in the days ahead.”
