President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday declared the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as the only platform for Nigerians born into disadvantaged families like him to rise to eminence.

Speaking at the formal reception of defectors from other parties to the PDP in Ilorin, Kwara State, President Jonathan declared that the era of imposition and godfatherism is no longer obtainable in the party.

The rally witnessed a large turnout of the party hierarchy that also included Vice President Namadi Sambo, governors from Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa and Niger states.

The rally organized by the Solomon Edojah led state caretaker committee of the party also had the deputy governor of Kogi state, Arc. Yomi Awoniyi, Chairman of the PDP, Board of Trustees, BoT chairman, Chief Tony Anenih, former national chairman, Dr Ahmadu Ali, ministers, National Assembly members among others in attendance.

Addressing the crowd at the rally, Dr. Jonathan said:

"PDP is not owned by any individual or group of persons. There is no more imposition or gathers in the PDP.

"It is only in PDP that the people of Kwara can have the freedom they desire and its in the party that any Nigerian can come from nowhere and become somebody."

"It is only in PDP that you can come from nowhere like me and become president of the Party, it's only in PDP the people of Kwara can have the freedom they deserve", he said.

Noting that the era of imposition of candidates in the party was past, he said:

"Members of the PDP are not dictators but those who have the interest of their people at heart. It is only in our party that we encourage everyone irrespective of where he comes from".

Speaking further, he said "I am a president but I have a governor, I don't control, we at the apex level of government can only monitor people in position of authority to make them deliver dividends of democracy to the people and we don't dictate to them".

"if you are not in PDP you are not in politics, it is only PDP that can guarantee your freedom in the state and the country at large", the president said.