A Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain, Ebenezer Babatope, on Sunday gave credence to the chairmanship ambition of the former deputy chairman of the party, Bode George.
Mr. Babatope, a former director of organisation in the defunct Obafemi Awolowo’s Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that he was fully in support of Mr. George’s ambition.
He described the former chairman of Nigerian Port Authority as the best man for the vacant chairmanship slot of the PDP based on his fatherly figure.
“We will struggle hard to produce a strong, effective and result-oriented party chairman, in fact, the Supreme Court’s verdict has affirmed Ahmed Makarfi as the real power house of PDP.
“We are now expecting another chairman and we are going to get that. I am giving my full support for the chairmanship position to George because he is the most experienced.
“George being my choice does not, however, have overriding opinion over other members of the party, everybody is welcome to support the candidates of their choice.
“I am picking George because of his experience as a party faithful who will ensure reconciliation of all aggrieved members of the party. Experience is the best teacher,’’ Mr. Babatope said.
Mr. Babatope, also a former Minister of Transport and Aviation during the late General Sani Abacha’s administration, advised that whoever emerged as the PDP chairman should ensure full reconciliation of all the members.
“Whoever emerges as the chairman of PDP must ensure the full reconciliation of all the members. We need a full house now to fulfil the yearnings of the party.
“The chairman should be a rallying point who will be father to all and I know George very well, he is up to the task.