President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has dismissed as a ruse rumours making rounds that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has traded off some Senatorial and House of Representatives’ seats to opposition parties ahead of the forthcoming 2015 general elections.
“There is no such deal with any opposition party any where. Nobody should deceive you into believing that PDP has an agreement with any opposition party. PDP has a manifesto and only an elected PDP candidates can implement it,” Senator Mark stated.
Addressing PDP stakeholders in Anambra State at Nteje, Oyi local government area along with his Deputy Senator Ike Ekweremadu against the backdrop of rumours that National Assembly seats in the state have been traded off to the All Progressive Grand Alliance(APGA) in an alleged accord to get the party’s support for 2015, he said it is false and unfounded.
Rumours made rounds in the state that National Assembly seats including Anambra North Senatorial seat presently occupied by Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Margery Chuba-Okadigbo has been negotiated out to APGA for 2015.
But the Senate President who is a member of the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees(BOT) clarified :”Nobody has negotiated out any position to any opposition party. I am not aware of it and I am not a party to it. PDP is steady and stable. We have no need for that”.
He however counseled the party faithful to remain united and work as a team saying “there are many warlords in Anambra state PDP working at cross purpose. If you agree to unite and work as a team , you will reclaim your stronghold of Anambra politics”.
Senator Mark paid glowing tribute to one of his predecessors late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo whom he described as very intelligent, flamboyant and vibrant Senator even as he urged the people to rally round Okadigbo’s wife to enable her excel.
Leaders of the embattled Anambra PDP stakeholders Chief Mike Nwakalor and Obi Chukwu had told the presiding officers of the Senate that the party is facing frustration in the hands of APGA and more so that the party taunts them that National Assembly seats have been negotiated in favour of APGA in the forthcoming elections.
Earlier during the visit, the Igwe of Ogbunike HRM, John Ositadimma Umenyiora bestowed on the Senate President the Chieftaincy title of EZE-UDO (meaning, King of peace) for his meritorious services to his father land.
The Igwe enjoined Senator Mark to continue to work for the peace, stability and unity of Nigeria.
At a separate event, Vehicles, ambulances, motor cycles, refrigerators, sewing machines and other house hold utensils were distributed to about 700 beneficiaries in Anambra North Senatorial zone under the Senator Margery Chuba-Okadigbo’s Constituency empowerment scheme.
Senator Mark and Ekweremadu distributed the items to the beneficiaries.
Senator Okadigbo explained that her mission is to work hard to uplift the standard of living of her people saying that given more opportunities, she would do more .
Signed:
Paul Mumeh, Chief Press Secretary to the President of the Senate.