Elder statesman Edwin Clark has let out his opinion on PDP how it started and what it has become today. As found in a report by Vanguard, the Nigerian statesman said the People Democratic Party was founded by people who have like minds.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was set up by leaders of like mind who assembled in the nation’s capital, Abuja, on 28th July, 1998, to work together “for the speedy restoration of democracy, achievement of national reconciliation”, amongst others. Some of us joined immediately when the idea of such an egalitarian political party was enunciated, because we felt that was what our dear country needed and still needs.”
He went further regrettably and said that members in that party now have used over zealousness to hijack it for their selfish interest.
“But what has happened today? Some overzealous members of the party have hijacked it for their selfish gains. Some of us have been shouting and warning against this. I recall that in order to avoid “money bags” taking over the party, instead of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, as provided by its Constitution, a one-time National Chairman of the party, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Governor of Enugu State, during his tenure, proposed in accordance with the party’s provisions, payment of membership dues by all members with which the party will be run.
During his acceptance speech in 2010, he strongly criticized the issue of excessive influence of money in politics, particularly in the context of his party's primary elections.
He emphasized the importance of funding for campaigns, but he firmly stated that the National Secretariat of the PDP would not be a place where "Ghana-Must-Go" bags of money would be required to win primary elections.
He made it clear that there would be no tolerance for a "cash-and-carry" approach to democracy within the PDP, as it is a harmful and undemocratic practice.