•We must reposition party –David Mark

From Taiwo Amodu, Abuja

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Former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, has denied recent media reports that he haS dumped the party for the ruling All Progressives Party (APC) even as he admitted that “the developments in PDP are embarrassing and unexciting.”
Nwodo, in a statement he personally signed, said he was aware of the procedure to follow if he needed to dump PDP.
“As one of the founding fathers of PDP, who has held the highest office in the party, I know the statutory procedure of resigning and would willingly do that if necessary.”
“The truth is that I am still a member of the PDP and has not joined the APC.”
The former governor appealed to his numerous supporters across the country, particularly, in Enugu state to disregard the media reports as his political direction would not be hidden if the need arises.
In a related development, ahead of PDP’s congresses and convention, the immediate past Senate Presidente, David Mark, has canvassed repositioning of the party if it must return to power in 2019 .
Mark told party faithful at a stakeholders meeting held in his country home,  Otukpo, Benue State, yesterday, that PDP had electoral misfortunes in the last general elections because of imposition of candidates against the wishes of the people.
“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  PDP is the party for the people. But we must not take the people for granted by forcing unpopular candidates on them.
“The coast is clear that PDP has the road map for peace, unity and development of Nigeria. Nigerians now know the difference.”
Mark, therefore, counselled that the popular candidates must be put forward to drive the ship of the party ahead of the next general elections.
He stressed that PDP has bright chances of returning to power if all party faithful agree to work together in one accord.
To achieve that, Senator Mark stated that people must learn to subject their individual or personal interest to the larger interests of the people. That way, he noted, victory would be assured while the processes would be rancor free, cheaper and more credible.
In their separate remarks, Benue State Chairman of PDP, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo; former Interior minister, Abba Moro and elder statesman, General Geofrey Ejiga (rtd) corroborated the views of Mark on the need to reposition the party for good.
The trio were of the opinion that the continued non performance of the ruling APC has given PDP a clean bill of health to return to power but cautioned that they must avoid the pitfall of imposition of candidates for elections.