Chairman of
the People’s Democratic Party national conference organizing committee, Chief
Raymond Dokpesi in a media briefing held in Abuja recently claimed that fielding
former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan in the 2011 and 2015 election was a huge
mistake by the party Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He said making the ex-Nigerian
leader the only presidential candidate of the party was not only responsible
for their loss but it also caused disaffection amongst party chieftains from
the North.

“There
was impunity, imposition of candidates and breach of the zoning arrangement as
well as lack of a level-playing field for members. Make no mistakes, the PDP is
aware that there were errors made along the way. We admit that at certain times
in our past, mistakes have been made. We did not meet the expectations of
Nigerians. We tender our apology. But the past is exactly what it is. We call
on all party faithful, supporters and sympathizers to partner with us going
forward.

“You asked about
the mistakes the party made. The Ekweremadu report is very explicit on that. It
acknowledged the fact that the party made a lot of strides during the last 16
years. But also, there was no internal democracy; there was impunity within the
party. There was no level-playing ground for members of the party.

“The zoning
principles of the party were abandoned and a gamut of all other issues which
will come up during the conference. And for all these and for the people who
have been offended, for people whose toes were stepped upon, we tender
unreserved apology.

“While
we should not forget the past and its errors, we must look forward and begin to
show true leadership within and outside our party.” The DAAR Communications founder said.

Reacting to the development,
spokesperson of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization, Femi Fani-Kayode said
“It was not a mistake for PDP to field Jonathan in
the last election and neither is an apology for doing so appropiate or
necessary.” The ex Aviation Minister
affirmed.