22nd October, 2014
Senate President David Mark has dismissed reports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Integration Committee for the South West was plotting to impose a gubernatorial candidate on Oyo State chapter of the Party.
The senate president, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publications, Kola Ologbondiyan, said there was no plan to impose anybody.
The statement said a group of PDP member had in a newspaper report, alleged that the Mark-led committee meeting was planning to impose a candidate on the state.
“You are to choose your flagbearer and ensure that PDP wins elections in Oyo state. That is the agenda handed over to us,” Mark said.
“The committee did not select gubernatorial aspirants that were invited for the meeting, rather, every stakeholder was invited.
“I didn’t call gubernatorial candidates to my house. The meeting here (Banquet Hall) was open and all inclusive,” the senate president said in the statement.
He urged the stakeholders to work together and return the party to power in the interest of all.
“We must all make sacrifices so that we can make progress. This committee alone cannot solve the problems. It requires our working together with you the stakeholders for PDP to win in Oyo State.
“You will choose your flagbearer based on the conviction that the candidate can win the election.”