Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, on Monday, warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against impunity and imposition of candidates ahead of its national convention because attempts to impose candidates may destroy the party.
Mark gave the warning in a statement in Abuja by his media aide, Mr Paul Mumeh.
He said leaders and members of the party should allow the will of the people to prevail at congresses and convention to avert the mistakes of the past.
According to him, delegates should elect rather than allow candidates to be imposed as was done in the 2015 elections.
Mark attributed the defeat of the PDP in the last general election to self-inflicted injuries due to imposition of candidates and the impunity of some of its leaders.
He, therefore, urged members of the party to remain steadfast, noting that cross carpeting neither enhances democratic culture nor the integrity and credibility of politicians that decamp.
“If we must uphold the sanctity of democratic culture, we must follow the path of honour like the Democrats and Republicans in the U. S. A. or follow the examples of the Labour Party or the Conservatives in the UK.
“These are politicians who hold on tenaciously to their political ideologies, no matter the odds,” he said.
The former senate president said that he would remain in the PDP no matter the challenges, as it had offered him the platform to contest and win elections since 1999.
He urged party faithful to work hard to overcome current challenges and offer credible opposition.
