By Yemi Adedeji, Abuja
Chyna Iwanyanawu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned that any attempt to return the party to the dark days of impunity, imposition and lack of internal democracy will plunge it into crisis.
His warning is coming as the main opposition party prepares to elect its national officers in the forthcoming national convention.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday, he also warned that there must be a clear departure from the past that led the party to a dismal outing at the 2015 elections, adding that there must also be remorse, repentance by the leadership of the party noting that they must allow the delegates to choose their preferred candidates in the forthcoming national convention.
He lamented that, “the same people who captured the party since are still the ones holding it except for the few of them.
“So that is my apprehension and fear but the event of the last few years ought to have taught us a lesson.”
Continuing, he stressed that “so far, there is mountain of ‘we would do it right’, we are watching, jealously, cautiously, any attempt to return to the dark days of impunity, imposition, lack of internal democracy, any attempt to return to those things would plunge the party into a crisis.”
“I hail Markafi, my brother and leader, Ben Obi, men of integrity and Adeyeye, the publicity Secretary, they have fought like men and they must not allow their victory to be stolen away by all the Pharaohs.
“There are so many Pharaohs in the states who are still plotting to impose their candidates because they want to President, Vice Presidents and governors so that is the problem.
“So, our warning at the level of this organisation is that there must be a clear departure, there must be remorse and repentance and they must allow the delegates to choose, that is when power will return to the people and if the people choose, their confidence would be connected to those they choose and then the party can move forward,” Iwanyanawu noted.