‘I Will Remain In PDP Even If I’m The Last Man Standing’ – David Mark Says Defectors Are Fair Weather

by Musa Abdullahi

Nigeria’s Senate President, Senator David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark has said he will remain in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, a party that is now Nigeria’s Opposition following the party’s defeat during last week’s general elections.

David Mark who had lobbied his way to be back to the Presidency of the 8th National Assembly Senate should the PDP had won, will be resuming at NASS but not making the dreams come through as the All Progressives Congress is now majority.

Mark a long time member of the Nigerian ruling class during his 67th birthday celebration said “If I will be the last man standing, I will remain in PDP, defectors are fair weather friends”.

Since the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari, defeating President Goodluck Jonathan, Benue State Nigeria, the home state of the senate President has witnessed the highest number of mass defections from the PDP to APC.

The Defections included, top leaders of the PDP, leading the league of defectors in Otukpo, the ancestral home of the Idoma community is former military governor of Kaduna and Katsina States, Gen. Lawrence Onoja, rtd.

Others who folded their umbrellas, included Dr Mathias Oyigeya, former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant in Benue State,

Chief Agbo Oga, former Chief of Staff to Senate President-David Mark, Chief Mike Iduma, Major Lawrence Ugbo, rtd, former PDP state chairmen, and Barrister Peter Ochijele, a former member of the Benue State Executive Council.

In the same vein, contrary to speculations, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday, declared that he was not going to jump ship by defecting to All Progressives Congress, APC because his party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lost the presidential election.

He rather maintained that in view of the unfolding political scenario in the country, PDP leaders were bracing up to take the bull by the horn to reposition and strengthen the party for a brighter future.

He made the position known while addressing a meeting of PDP stakeholders from Enugu West senatorial district in Enugu yesterday.

His words: “I have read and listened to many lament what they regard as the South East misadventure in view of the emerging scenarios at the federal level.

‘’But let me assure you that Ndigbo has done nothing to be ashamed of and we owe no one any apologies for casting our ballots for the PDP.

“For me, therefore, our voting pattern is rather a defining moment for Ndigbo because we spoke with one voice and we are proud of our electoral decisions.

‘’We voted for a party that integrated us into the mainstream of Nigerian politics, elected/appointed our people into strategic offices, and addressed some of our major infrastructural challenges.

‘’You would agree with me that Enugu West in particular has never had it so good in infrastructure transformation. So, we took a principled position and accept full responsibility for our political choices.

“I have also heard a lot of permutations on the possible mass defection of Ndigbo to the APC in the coming dispensation. While I will not hold brief for all the PDP stalwarts of South East origin, especially because our constitution provides for freedom of association, I can assure you that on PDP we stand. ‘’At least, count Senator Ike Ekweremadu out of any defection to the opposition.