Abiola Kolawole, Ibadan
As the preparations towards 2019 general elections draw nearer, former Senate President and Presidential aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Senator David Mark on Wednesday declared that he is the only bridge between the Northern and the Southern Nigeria and was ready to work with other intellectuals to rescue Nigeria out of the present unfavorable socioeconomic problems.
Mark made this declaration while addressing PDP delegates and members in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital ahead of the PDP Presidential primary election billed to take place later this month.
The former Senate President who declared that he would transform Nigeria within just 730 days, if elected the next President of the country in next year’s polls, maintained that he knows the problems of Nigeria, and that he has the “courage and capacity to tackle the problems”.
Senator Mark revealed that he is currently working with a team of young Nigerians, adding that recommendations of the team will be implemented to make a turnaround the fortunes of the country within just 730 days if elected.
 |
| Senator David Mark (middle) having his hand raised by PDP Chairman in Oyo State, Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha |
The former Senate President, however, stated that for PDP to win the 2019 presidential election, leaders of the political party must ensure free and fair credible primaries.
Mark, who was received by leaders of the Oyo PDP led by its Chairman, Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha, said: “If all Nigerians see that we conduct credible, transparent, free and fair primaries, we will be sure of victory in the presidential election”.
Mark remarked that he was in the race not because of his personal interest but for the interest of all Nigerians.
He said, “It is not about myself, but about Nigeria.”
Mark said people should Mark his words noting that, I may be the last aspirant to obtain nomination form, What I want to tell you today is that there are 13 of us jostling to get the Presidential ticket of our great party. But let me tell you either me or any of the remaining aspirants emerges as the party’s candidate at the end of the day, I am ready to work for the party.
Obviously alluding to present Senate President Bulola Saraki who was in Ibadan on Tuesday and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, David Mark said, “It is not about myself, it is about the interest of our great party and our dear country. I have remained in the PDP since it was formed, and I have never for one day thought about leaving the political party for another one. At the end of the primaries, either I win or lose, I will remain in PDP and support whoever emerged.
“I am the bridge between the North and the South; I am the bridge between the old and the youths; I am the bridge between men and women in politics. This is the time for all of you to acknowledge the bridge and give him the opportunity to serve our country “.
