2011: PDP Rules Out Imposition Of Candidates

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has ruled out the imposition of candidates in the upcoming 2011 elections.

 The declaration was made by the Chairman of the party, Chief Godpower Ake in an exclusive interview with The Tide Wednesday in Port Harcourt.

 According to Chief Ake, the party under his leadership would experience transformation and transparency in the conduct of elections in the state.

 His words, “in the 2011 elections I’am going to surprise people. I’am going to conduct free and fair elections and I’am not going to impose anybody”.

 The Rivers State PDP Chief condemned electoral malpractices, stressing that it was the bane of politics in Nigeria, “I don’t believe in rigging because it is what brings bad blood in the system.”

 He admonished politicians to go and do their home work properly, since power belongs to the people. He said there were two ways to make a mark in politics, “one is to make money and the other is to serve the people.”

 Chief Ake maintained that the only way a politician could remain politically relevant for long was to have the people at heart, recalling that the politicians of old served the people, that was why so many of them did not amass wealth.

 The Ogba-born politician said politics is all about action, pointing out that a lot of politicians who talk too much end up not delivering their electoral promises to the people.

 He dismissed the view that the PDP in Rivers State was divided since the exist of former Governor Peter Odili, adding that the party was one and would remain in unity.

 Chief Ake observed, ‘there is no faction in the party. The PDP is not divided. Most of them who left for Abuja went there because of security reasons, not because there was problem. We see ourselves and we are friends.”